Virginia Law

A. A parent who believes that information in the early intervention records collected, maintained, or used in the early intervention system is inaccurate, misleading, or violates the privacy or other rights of the child or parent shall have the right to request that the agency that maintains the information amend the information.

B. When a parent requests that information in a record be amended, the local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall decide whether to amend the information in accordance with the request within a reasonable period of time after the request is received.

C. If the local lead agency or early intervention service provider refuses to amend the information in accordance with the request, the local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall inform the parent of the refusal and advise the parent of the right to a local hearing to challenge the information in his child's early intervention record.

1. A hearing shall be held within 30 days after the request is received by the local lead agency or early intervention service provider from the parent.

2. The parent shall be given written notice of the date, place, and time of the hearing at least 15 days before the hearing.

3. The hearing may be conducted by any person, including an official of the local lead agency or early intervention service provider, who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing.

4. The local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall give the parent a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised. The parent may, at his own expense, be assisted or represented by persons of his own choice, including an attorney.

5. The local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall issue its decision in writing to the parent within five business days after the conclusion of the hearing.

6. The decision of the local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall be based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing and shall include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision.

7. If the hearing determines that the information is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the child or parent, the local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall amend the information accordingly and inform the parent in writing.

8. If the hearing determines that the information is accurate, not misleading, and not in violation of the privacy or other rights of the child or parent, the local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall inform the parent of the right to place in the early intervention record a statement commenting on the information or setting forth any reasons for disagreeing with the decision of the local lead agency or early intervention service provider. Any such explanation placed in the early intervention record shall be maintained as part of the early intervention record as long as the record or contested portion is maintained by the agency. If the early intervention record or the contested portion of the record is disclosed by the local lead agency or early intervention service provider to any party, the explanation shall also be disclosed to the party.

D. If the parent is not satisfied with the local hearing determination, the local lead agency or early intervention service provider shall advise the parent of his right to file a due process complaint with the department.