Source: http://boe.hawaii.gov/policies/AdminRules/Pages/AdminRule53.aspx
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 12:17:18+00:00

Document:
§8-53-1 Purpose. (a) As a matter of commitment, policy, and compliance with federal and state laws, the Hawaii state department of education assures that it will provide equal educational opportunity to all students with a disability in its jurisdiction, regardless of the nature and severity of the disabilities.
§8-53-3 Discrimination prohibited. (a) No student with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity operated by the department.
"Day" means calendar day unless otherwise indicated as school day.
"School day" means any day, including a partial day, that students are in attendance at school for instructional purposes. The term has the same meaning for all students in school, including students with and without a disability.
(3) Provided without cost to the student with a disability or the student’s parent, other than costs that are imposed on students without a disability or the students' parents.
"Include" means that the items named are not all of the possible items that are covered, whether like or unlike the ones named.
(iii) Has no interest that would conflict with the interests of the student.
"Related services" means transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to meet the individual educational needs of a student with a disability as adequately as students without a disability, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. The term also includes school health services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training.
"Special education" means specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability as adequately as students without a disability.
(2) Notify students with a disability and their parents of the duty of the department under this chapter, including the procedure to initiate a referral.
(b) The department shall establish identification procedures, that include a systematic method of utilizing referrals from teachers, parents, agencies, professional persons and members of the public, to identify students suspected of having a disability under chapter 8-56 or suspected of having a disability under this chapter.
(c) Identification and referral procedures under this chapter to determine if a student has a disability shall not be construed to limit those school site activities designed to address learning difficulties ingeneral, including the consideration and utilization of the resources of the regular education program.
(3) Receive a written notice of the department’s proposal or refusal to evaluate under chapter 8-56, including an explanation of the distinctions between an evaluation and determination of eligibility under chapter 8-56 and this chapter.
(c) If a student initially referred for an evaluation under chapter 8-56 is suspected of being eligible as a student with a disability under this chapter, the parent shall receive notice in accordance with subsection (b)(1) as soon as possible.
(2) The nature and extent of the regular or special education and related aids and services that the student needs to meet the student’s educational needs as adequately as the needs of students without a disability are met.
(B) Participate, as appropriate, in the general curriculum (i.e., the same curriculum as for students without a disability).
(c) The group described in subsection (a) may conduct its review without a meeting.
(d) The department shall administer tests and other assessment materials as may be needed to produce the data identified under subsection (b).
(2) Of the right of the parent to request an assessment to determine whether, for purposes of services under this chapter, the student continues to be a student with a disability.
(f) The department is not required to conduct the assessment described in subsection (e)(2) to determine whether, the student continues to be a student with a disability unless requested to do so by the student’s parent.
§8-53-11 Reevaluation. (a) The department shall ensure that a reevaluation of each student, in accordance with section 8-53-9 on the determination of needed assessment data and section 8-53-10 on assessment is conducted if conditions warrant a reevaluation, including prior to a significant change in placement, or if the student’s parent or teacher requests a reevaluation, but at least once every three years.
"Major life activity" means functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.
(B) For students in the age ranges three to five and eighteen to twenty, those students with a disability who are also eligible as students with a disability in accordance with chapter 8-56-15.
(b) For a student with a disability eligible under subsection (a)(1)(B) or subsection (a)(1)(C) as having only a record of or being regarded as having a disability, the department shall not be required to identify, evaluate or provide a free appropriate public education in accordance with this chapter. The student shall be protected against discrimination on the basis of the perceived disability as set forth in section 8-53-3.
§8-53-14 Exclusions. (a) For purposes of this chapter, a student with a disability shall not include an individual excluded under Section 504 (29 U.S.C. Section 705), including a student who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs, when the department acts on the basis of such use.
(3) Is erroneously regarded as engaging in such use, but is not engaging in such use.
§8-53-16 Parent participation. (a) The department shall take steps to ensure that one or both of the parents of a student with a disability are afforded the opportunity to participate in developing, reviewing and revising the student’s Section 504 modification plan, including contacting the parent to inform the parent of the opportunity to participate in developing, reviewing and revising the student’s Section 504 modification plan early enough to ensure that the parent will have an opportunity to participate.
(3) Schedule the meeting at a mutually agreed upon time and place.
(2) Copies of correspondence sent to the parent and any responses received.
(d) If neither parent can attend a meeting conducted pursuant to section 8-53-17(c), the department shall use other methods to ensure parent participation, including individual or conference telephone calls.
(3) Detailed records of visits made to the parent's home or place of employment and the results of those visits.
(f) The department shall take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the parent understands the proceedings at a meeting, including arranging for an interpreter for a parent with deafness or whose native language is other than English.
§8-53-17 Section 504 modification plan meetings and timelines. (a) As used in this section, the phrase "within a reasonable period of time" means within 60 days, except when exceptional circumstances cause a delay.
(c) If one or more of the Section 504 team members believe a meeting is necessary for the purpose of developing, reviewing and revising the Section 504 modification plan of a student with a disability, the department shall initiate and conduct the meeting.
(2) If determined eligible under section 8-53-13, a free appropriate public education is made available to the student in accordance with a Section 504 modification plan.
(e) The Section 504 modification plan shall be reviewed periodically as conditions warrant, but not less than annually.
(3) Informing the parent of the date for a free appropriate public education being made available to the student in accordance with a Section 504 modification plan.
(g) A copy of the written notice required in subsection (f) shall be maintained in the student’s educational records.
(2) The results of the initial or most recent evaluation of the student.
(3) The projected date for the beginning of the services and the anticipated frequency, location, and duration of those services.
(2) Place a student with a disability in the regular educational environment unless it is demonstrated by the department that the education including special education if necessary, of the student with a disability in the regular educational environment with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
(c) Whenever the department places a student with a disability in a setting other than the regular educational environment pursuant to subsection (b), the department shall take into account the proximity of the alternate setting to the student's home.
§8-53-20 Nonacademic and extracurricular services. (a) The department shall provide nonacademic and extracurricular services and activities in such a manner as is necessary to afford students with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in such services and activities.
(4) The placement of the student with a disability is made as soon as possible after the development of the Section 504 modification plan.
(2) Refuses to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the student.
(3) Upon receipt of a request for due process under section 8-53-27.
(2) The initial provision of special education or related services to a student with a disability.
(b) Consent for initial evaluation under subsection (a)(1) may not be construed as consent for initial placement under subsection (a)(2).
(4) Administering a test or other evaluation that is administered to all students unless, before administration of that test or evaluation, consent is required of parents of all students.
(d) If a parent revokes consent, the revocation of consent shall be effective on the date the department receives notice of the revocation, and does not negate an action that occurred after consent was given, but before receipt of the notice of revocation.
§8-53-26 Mediation. (a) Parties to disputes are encouraged to seek resolution through mediation. The mediation process is intended to be an informal process conducted in a nonadversarial atmosphere to resolve issues relating to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the student. (b) The department shall offer mediation to parties to disputes involving any matter described in section 8-53-23(a) to allow the parties to resolve the disputes whenever a hearing is requested under sections 8-53-27 or 8-53-39.
(3) Is conducted by a qualified and impartial mediator who is trained in effective mediation techniques.
(d) A party’s participation in a mediation conference shall not be a prerequisite to the right to a due process hearing under sections 8-53-27 or 8-53-39.
(e) Each session in the mediation process shall include the party or party representative with the authority to resolve the issues which are the basis for the request for a hearing under sections 8-53-27 or 8-53-39. (f) Each session in the mediation process shall be scheduled in a timely manner and shall be held in a location that is convenient to the parties to the dispute.
(3) Be set forth in a written mediation agreement.
(h) Discussions that occur during the mediation process shall be confidential and may not be used as evidence in any subsequent due process hearings or civil proceedings and the parties to the mediation process shall be required to sign a confidentiality pledge prior to the commencement of the process.
(i) If the mediation process fails to resolve the issue or issues to the satisfaction of the parties, the mediator may assist the party requesting the hearing to identify the precise issue or issues to be heard in the due process hearing and the relief the party is seeking.
(3) Select the mediator on a random (e.g., a rotation) basis from the list described in paragraph (1).
§8-53-27 Impartial due process hearing. (a) A parent or the department may initiate a hearing on any of the matters described in section 8-53-23(a)(relating to the identification, evaluation or educational placement of a student with a disability, or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the student).
(b) The department shall inform the parent of any free or low-cost legal and other relevant services available in the area.
(C) The selection process for the impartial hearing officer and contact information.
§8-53-28 Notice of request for a hearing. (a) All requests for a due process hearing shall be filed in writing with the district superintendent of the student’s district of enrollment. The party initiating a due process hearing shall provide the other party to the hearing with a copy of the request at the same time as the request is filed with the district superintendent.
(5) A proposed resolution of the problem except, for the parent, the proposed resolution to the extent known and available to the parent at the time.
(c) The department shall provide a model form, upon request, to the parent to assist the parent in filing a request for a due process hearing that includes the information required in subsection (b).
(2) By any person having a personal or professional interest that would conflict with the person’s objectivity in the hearing.
(b) A person who otherwise qualifies to conduct a hearing under subsection (a) is not an employee of the department solely because the person is paid by the department to serve as the hearing officer.
§8-53-30 Pre-hearing and hearing. (a) The hearing officer shall conduct a pre-hearing conference. The hearing officer may conduct all or part of the pre-hearing conference by telephone if both parties or party representatives have an opportunity to participate in and to hear the entire proceeding while it is taking place. The pre-hearing conference shall include the identification of the precise issues to be heard under section 8-53-27(a).
(b) Hearings conducted pursuant to section 8-53-27 shall not be conducted according to the technical rules of evidence and those related to witnesses. All testimony shall be under oath or affirmation which the hearing officer is empowered to administer.
(3) Obtain a written or electronic verbatim record of the hearing; and(4) Obtain written findings of fact and decision.
(d) Prior to a hearing conducted pursuant to section 8-53-27, each party shall disclose to all other parties all evidence that the party intends to introduce at the hearing within a reasonable period of time prior to the hearing.
(e) A hearing officer may bar any party that fails to comply with subsection (d) from introducing the relevant evidence at the hearing without the consent of the other party.
(2) Open the hearing to the public; and.
(b) A hearing officer may grant for good cause specific extensions of time beyond the period set out in subsection (a) at the request of either party. Any extension shall be documented in writing and extend the time for rendering a final decision for a period only equal to the length of the extension.
§8-53-32 Civil action. (a) A decision made in a hearing conducted pursuant to sections 8-53-27 or 8-53-39 is final, except that any party involved in such hearing may appeal such decision under subsection (b).
§8-53-33 Student’s status during proceedings. (a) Except as provided in section 8-53-39(g) on discipline, during the pendency of any administrative or judicial proceeding regarding a complaint under section 8-53-27, unless the department and the parent of the student agree otherwise, the student involved in the complaint shall remain in the current educational placement.
(3) The student is a ward of the State under the laws of the State.
(1) Is not an employee of the department, or any other agency that is involved in the education or care of the student, except that an individual who is an employee of a private agency that only provides non-educational care for the student and who meets the standards in this subsection may be selected;(2) Has no interest that conflicts with the interest of the student the surrogate parent represents; and(3) Has knowledge and skills that ensure adequate representation of the student.
(c) A person who otherwise qualifies to be a surrogate parent under subsection (b) is not an employee of the agency solely because the person is paid by the agency to serve as a surrogate parent.
§8-53-35 General requirements. (a) The following general requirements apply in disciplinary action that results in or could result in the removal of a student with a disability from the student’s current educational placement.
(1) Is not considered a change in placement and subject to the requirements of this subchapter or sections 8-53-11 and 8-53-21.
(2) Shall be in accordance with chapter 8-19.
(2) A change in placement of a student with a disability to an appropriate interim alternative educational setting, if authorized under Section 504. The interim alternative educational setting shall be determined by the Section 504 team.
(B) Is in accordance with the procedural safeguards in sections 8-53-22 to 8-53-34 and includes the provision of a prior written notice to the parent of the student with a disability under section 8-53-23 of the proposed or refused change of placement and the parent does not request a hearing pursuant to section 8-53-27(a); and(C) Provides a free appropriate public education to the student; or(5) The basis for a crisis suspension pursuant to chapter 8-19 exists, and school personnel determine that the crisis suspension, together with the previous days of suspension and disciplinary removal, does not subject the student with a disability to a series of removals that constitute a pattern because they cumulate to more than 10 school days in a school year, and because of factors such as the length of each removal, the total amount of time the student is removed, and the proximity of the removals one to another.
(2) Immediately, if possible, but in no case later than ten school days after the date on which the decision to take that action is made, a review shall be conducted of the relationship between the student’s disability and the behavior subject to the disciplinary action.
(b) If a student with a disability is suspended or removed for disciplinary reasons from the student’s current educational placement for ten consecutive days or fewer at a time or for each series of short-term suspensions for ten cumulative school days or fewer in a given school year, the review in subsection (a) need not be conducted.
(c) The review described in subsection (a) shall be conducted by the Section 504 team as set forth in section 8-53-15 and other qualified personnel in a meeting.
(C) The student’s disability did not impair the ability of the student to control the behavior subject to disciplinary action.
(e) If the Section 504 team and other qualified personnel determine that any of the standards in subsection (d)(2) were not met, the behavior shall be considered a manifestation of the student’s disability.
§8-53-39 Expedited due process hearing. (a) If the student’s parent disagrees with a determination that the student’s behavior was not a manifestation of the student’s disability or with any decision regarding placement under this subchapter, the parent may request a hearing pursuant to section 8-53-27.
result in injury to the student or others, the department may request a hearing pursuant to section 8-53-27 to seek an order to change the placement of a student with a disability to an interim alternative educational setting, if authorized under Section 504.
(c) In reviewing a decision with respect to the manifestation determination, the hearing officer shall determine whether the department has demonstrated that the student's behavior was not a manifestation of the student's disability consistent with the requirements of section 8-53-37(e).
(4) Be conducted by a hearing officer who satisfies the requirements of section 8-53-29.
(e) The department shall be responsible for the conduct of an expedited due process hearing. The timeline under subsection (d)(3) shall be the same for hearings requested by parents or the department.
(f) A decision made in a hearing conducted pursuant to this section is final, except that any party involved in such hearing may appeal such decision under section 8-53-32.
§8-53-40 Protections for students not yet eligible for services under Section 504 and this chapter. (a) A student who has not been determined to be eligible under this chapter and who has engaged in behavior that violated any rule or code of conduct of the department may assert any of the protections provided for in this chapter if the department had knowledge that the studentwas a student with a disability before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred.
(b) If the department did not have knowledge that a student is a student with a disability prior to taking disciplinary measures against the student, the student may be subjected to the same disciplinary measures as measures applied to students without a disability who engaged in comparable behaviors consistent with subsection (c).
(c) If a request is made for an evaluation of a student during the time period in which the student is subjected to disciplinary measures under sections 8-53-36, the evaluation shall be conducted in an expedited manner except as required in section 8-19-11 on substitute educational services.

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