2010 Maine Code
TITLE 20-A: EDUCATION
Chapter 303: CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
20-A §7204. Duties of the commissioner

Part 4: SPECIFIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Subpart 1: SPECIAL EDUCATION

Subchapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS

§7204. Duties of the commissioner

The commissioner: [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Related services. Shall provide, or cause to be provided by administrative units operating schools, all related services, as defined in rules the commissioner establishes, required by a child with a disability so that the child may benefit from equal educational opportunities;

[ 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD) .]

2. State plan. Shall make and annually review a state plan for education of all children with disabilities in the State. The State's plan may not require services that exceed minimum federal requirements. The plan must be available to the public on request. The department is the entity responsible for assigning financial responsibility among appropriate agencies as required under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1401 (8), Section 1412 (a)(12)(A,B,C) and Section 1435 (a)(10)(C) and continues to serve pursuant to Section 1435 (a)(10) as the single line of responsibility for carrying out the general administration and supervision of programs and activities receiving assistance under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the monitoring of programs and activities used to carry out that Part;

[ 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD) .]

3. School year. May approve special education programs for:

A. The usual public school year as defined in section 4801, subsection 1; [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

B. An extended school year; or [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

C. Other periods the commissioner determines appropriate; [1983, c. 806, §64 (AMD).]

[ 1983, c. 806, §64 (AMD) .]

4. Program approval. Shall approve plans for all early intervention and special education programs. The criteria for approval must include:

A. Requirements for admission; [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

B. Qualification or certification of staff; [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

C. Plan of instruction; [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

D. Adequacy of facilities; [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

E. Adequacy of supportive services; [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

F. Professional supervision; and [1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

G. Teacher-student ratio; [2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD).]

[ 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD) .]

5. Due process. Shall:

A. Adopt or amend rules to assure and protect the rights of due process for children with disabilities; and [2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD).]

B. Inform and train each school administrative unit on the rights of children with disabilities to due process under state laws and rules and federal law and regulations; and [2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD).]

[ 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD) .]

6. Technical assistance. May, on the request of a school administrative unit, provide technical assistance in the formulation of a plan or subsequent report required of all administrative units. Assistance may not be designed to transfer the responsibility for or actual development of the plan or report.

[ 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §25 (AMD) .]

SECTION HISTORY

1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW). 1983, c. 806, §64 (AMD). 2005, c. 662, §A25 (AMD).