Virginia Law

A. Due process hearings shall be available to the parent of any child referred to the local early intervention system to resolve complaints regarding an early intervention provider's proposal or refusal to initiate or change his child's identification, eligibility determination, or placement or to the provision of early intervention services to the child or family.

B. The department shall arrange for the appointment of an impartial hearing officer within five days following receipt of a request for a due process hearing. The due process hearing officer shall:

1. Not be an employee of the department, a local lead agency, or an early intervention service provider involved in the provision of early intervention services or the care of the child. A person who is otherwise qualified shall not be considered an employee of the department, a local lead agency, or an early intervention provider solely because he is paid by the agency to implement the due process hearing procedures;

2. Not have a personal or professional interest that conflicts with his objectivity in implementing the process;

3. Have knowledge about the provisions under Part C and the needs of and early intervention services available for children with disabilities and their families;

4. Listen to the presentation of relevant viewpoints about the due process complaint;

5. Examine information relevant to the issues;

6. Seek to reach a timely resolution of the due process complaint; and

7. Provide a record of the proceedings, including a written decision.

C. The due process hearing shall be carried out at a time and place that is reasonably convenient for the parent.

D. Any parent involved in a due process hearing shall have the right to:

1. Be accompanied and advised by counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to early intervention services for children with disabilities;

2. Present evidence and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses;

3. Prohibit the introduction of any evidence at the hearing that has not been disclosed to the parent at least five days before the hearing;

4. Obtain a written or electronic verbatim transcript of the hearing at no cost to the family; and

5. Receive a written copy of the findings of fact and decisions at no cost to the parent.

E. The due process hearing shall be conducted and a written decision shall be mailed to all parties within 30 days of receipt by the department of the parent's request for a due process hearing. The hearing officer may grant a specific extension of the timeline at the request of either party.

F. Any party aggrieved by the findings and decision issued pursuant to a due process hearing shall have the right to bring a civil action in Virginia or federal court.

G. During the pendency of any proceeding involving a due process complaint, unless the local lead agency and the parent of the child agree otherwise, the child shall continue to receive the appropriate early intervention services in the setting identified in the IFSP for which the parent has provided consent. If the due process complaint involves an application for initial services, the child shall receive those services that are not in dispute.

H. Costs for due process hearings shall be equally shared by the local lead agency and the department. The costs shared include expenses of the hearing officer (i.e., time, travel, secretarial, postal, and telephone expenses), expenses incurred by order of the hearing officer (i.e., independent educational evaluations, deposition, or transcript), and expenses for making a record of a hearing (i.e., hearing tapes).

I. The department shall not be responsible for expenses incurred for witnesses, except where hearing officers subpoena witnesses on their own initiative, or for the parent's attorney fees.