Opinion ID: 1508562
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Federal Claim

Text: [¶ 9] We first address the applicable federal law. Any state receiving federal funds for education pursuant to the IDEA must meet federal eligibility standards. See 20 U.S.C. §§ 1412, 1414. Maine has chosen to receive those funds. Pursuant to the IDEA, every disabled child has a right to an Individualized Education Plan, developed and reviewed at least yearly according to the child's individual needs. See 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(2)(A), (d)(4) (1990 & Supp.1998). [5] The Plan establishes the individual services, goals, and educational placement available to a disabled child for that given year. See 20 U.S.C. § 1414(d)(1)(A). A family that is dissatisfied with the Plan may challenge that decision through an administrative hearing. See 20 U.S.C. § 1415(f)(1). [¶ 10] Among the requirements placed on each participating state is the necessity for the state to establish certain procedural safeguards. Those safeguards include the right to an administrative hearing if the parents disagree with their child's IEP and the right to appeal from the order of the hearing officer. If a family prevails at the administrative hearing, the IDEA provides for the recovery of attorneys' fees by that family. Jurisdiction for actions to recover attorneys' fees is in the district courts of the United States. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(3)(A). [6] In any action or proceeding under this section, the court, in its discretion may award reasonable attorneys' fees as part of the costs to the parents of a child with a disability who is the prevailing party. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(3)(B). While the IDEA requires that a family be allowed to challenge the administrative hearing results regarding the child's Plan in either state or federal court, see 20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(2)(A), there exists no federal requirement that a state receiving federal educational funds provide a state court cause of action for attorneys' fees.