Part IV. Funding
8VAC20-81-240. Eligibility for funding.
A. Each local school division and state-operated program shall maintain current policies and procedures and supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance with the Act and the Virginia Board of Education regulations governing the provision of special education and related services, licensure and accreditation. Changes to the local policies and procedures shall be made as determined by local need, as a result of changes in state or federal laws or regulations, as a result of required corrective action, or as a result of decisions reached in administrative proceedings, judicial determinations, or other findings of noncompliance. Revisions to policies and procedures must be approved by local school boards for local school divisions, or the Board of Visitors for the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind at Staunton. State-operated programs shall submit revisions to policies and procedures to the state special education advisory committee for review. (34 CFR 300.201; 34 CFR 300.220)
B. All disbursement is subject to the availability of funds. In the event of insufficient state funds, disbursement may be prorated pursuant to provisions of the Virginia Appropriation Act.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 25, 2010.
8VAC20-81-250. State funds for local school divisions.
A. State funds to assist local school divisions with the cost of providing special education and related services for children with disabilities shall be provided through the Virginia Department of Education's appropriation as provided in this section.
B. Children with disabilities enrolled in programs operated by a local school board:
1. Public school programs. In addition to the funds received for each pupil from state basic aid, local school divisions shall receive payment to support the state share of the number of special education teachers and paraprofessionals required by the Standards of Quality. (Chapter 13.2 (§ 22.1-253.13:1 et seq.) of Title 22.1 of the Code of Virginia)
2. Homebound instruction. Subject to availability, local school divisions shall receive funds to assist with the cost of educating students who are temporarily confined for medical or psychological reasons. Such students may continue to be counted in the average daily membership (ADM) while receiving homebound instruction. In addition, costs will be reimbursed based on the composite index, the hourly rate paid to homebound teachers by the local educational agency, and the number of instructional hours delivered. Reimbursement is made in the year following delivery of instruction. (Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8VAC20-131))
C. Children with disabilities enrolled in regional special education programs: (Virginia Appropriation Act; § 22.1-218 of the Code of Virginia)
1. Subject to availability, reimbursement may be made available for a portion of the costs associated with placement of children with disabilities in public regional special education programs pursuant to policies and procedures established by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee.
2. Such reimbursement shall be in lieu of other state education funding available for each child.
D. Applicability of least restrictive environment and FAPE provision in state-funded placements. No state-funding mechanism shall result in placements that deny children with disabilities their right to be educated with children without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate, or otherwise result in a failure to provide a child with a disability a free appropriate public education. (34 CFR 300.114(b))
E. Children with disabilities receiving special education and related services in regional or local jails. Local school divisions are reimbursed for the instructional costs of providing required special education and related services to children with disabilities in regional or local jails. (Virginia Appropriation Act)
F. Funds under the Comprehensive Services Act for At-Risk Youth and Families. (§§ 2.2-5211 through 2.2-5212 of the Code of Virginia)
1. Funds are available under the Comprehensive Services Act to support the cost of:
a. Special education and related services for children with disabilities whose IEPs specify private day or private residential placement;
b. Certain nonspecial education services for children with disabilities whose Comprehensive Services Act team identifies that such services are necessary to maintain the child in a less restrictive special education setting, in accordance with Comprehensive Services Act requirements; and
c. Special education and related services for children with disabilities who are placed by a Comprehensive Services Act team in a private residential placement for noneducational reasons.
2. Local school divisions shall be responsible for payment of transportation expenses associated with implementing the child's IEP.
3. Comprehensive Services Act reimbursement requirements shall be applicable.
4. When a parent unilaterally places a child with a disability in an approved private nonsectarian school for children with disabilities, the local school division shall not be responsible for the cost of the placement. If a special education hearing officer or court determines that such placement, rather than the IEP proposed by the local school division, is appropriate and no appeal is perfected from that decision, the local school division is responsible for placement and funds are available under the Comprehensive Services Act to support the costs.
G. Reimbursement shall be made for the education of children with disabilities who: (§ 22.1-101.1 B and C of the Code of Virginia)
1. Have been placed in foster care or other custodial care within the geographical boundaries of the school division by a Virginia agency;
2. Have been placed in an orphanage or children's home, which exercises legal rights; or
3. Is a resident of Virginia, and has been placed, not solely for school purposes, in a child-caring institution or group home licensed in accordance with the Code of Virginia.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia; 20 USC § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009.
8VAC20-81-260. Federal funds.
A. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Virginia Department of Education disburses the federal funds that are available under Part B of the Act to assist local educational agencies with the excess cost of providing special education and related services to eligible children with disabilities. The local educational agency shall submit an annual plan to the Virginia Department of Education describing the use of such funds in accordance with subsection B of 8VAC20-81-230. (34 CFR 300.200; 34 CFR 76.301)
B. Excess costs means those costs that are in excess of the average annual per student expenditure in a local educational agency during the preceding school year for an elementary school or secondary school student as may be appropriate, and that shall be computed after deducting: (34 CFR 300.16, 34 CFR 300.202 and Appendix A to 34 CFR Part 300)
1. Amounts received under Part B of the Act;
2. Amounts received under Part A of Title I of the ESEA;
3. Amounts received under Parts A and B of Title III of the ESEA; or
4. Any state or local funds expended for programs that would qualify for assistance under any of the parts described in subdivision 1, 2, or 3 of this subsection but excluding any amounts for capital outlay and debt service.
A local educational agency meets the excess cost requirement if it has spent at least a minimum average amount for the education of its children with disabilities in state and local funds before funds under Part B of the Act are used. (See 34 CFR Part 300, Appendix A for an example of how excess costs shall be calculated.)
C. A local educational agency complies with the maintenance of effort requirement in establishing its eligibility for an award in a fiscal year if the local educational agency budgets the same total or per capita amount in state and local funds as it spent from the same sources to educate children with disabilities in the most recent prior year for which information is available. (34 CFR 300.203)
D. Part B funds may be used to supplement, but shall not be used to supplant state and local expenditures for special education and related services, and shall not be used to reduce the level of expenditures for the education of children with disabilities made by the local school division from the local funds below the level of those expenditures for the preceding year, except under certain conditions specified under the Act. (34 CFR 300.202 through 34 CFR 300.204)
E. The amount of Part B funds determined to be available for each local educational agency is based upon the formulas specified under the Act. (34 CFR 300.705 and 34 CFR 300.816)
F. A local educational agency may use Part B funds to implement a schoolwide program under § 1114 of the ESEA, except that the amount of Part B funds used in any fiscal year shall not exceed the amount of total Part B funds received that year, divided by the number of children with disabilities in the jurisdiction, and multiplied by the number of children with disabilities participating in the schoolwide program. Part B funds used for this purpose are not subject to other Part B funding requirements, but the local educational agency shall ensure that all children with disabilities in schoolwide program schools: (34 CFR 300.206)
1. Receive services in accordance with a properly developed IEP; and
2. Are afforded all of the rights and services guaranteed to children with disabilities under the Act.
G. Children without disabilities may benefit from the expenditure of Part B funds when special education and related services and supplementary aids and services are provided in a regular class or other education-related setting to a child with a disability in accordance with the IEP of the child. (34 CFR 300.208)
H. Early intervening services. (34 CFR 300.226 and 34 CFR 300.646)
1. Children who are not currently identified as needing special education or related services may need additional academic and behavioral supports to succeed in a general education environment. These supports may be in the form of early intervening services.
Early intervening services apply to children in kindergarten through grade 12, with a particular emphasis on students in kindergarten through grade three.
2. To develop and implement coordinated, early intervening services, which may include interagency financing structures, a local school division may not use more than 15% of the amount the school division receives under Part B of the Act for any fiscal year. The 15% is less any amount reduced by the local school division pursuant to 34 CFR 300.205, if any, in combination with other amounts (which may include amounts other than education funds).
3. In implementing coordinated, early intervening services under this section, a local educational agency may carry out activities that include:
a. Professional development (which may be provided by entities other than local educational agencies) for teachers and other school staff to enable such personnel to deliver scientifically based academic and behavioral interventions, including scientifically based literacy instruction, and, where appropriate, instruction on the use of adaptive and instructional software; and
b. Providing educational and behavioral evaluations, services, and supports, including scientifically based literacy instruction.
4. Nothing in this section shall be construed to either limit or create a right to a free appropriate public education under Part B of the Act or to delay appropriate evaluation of a child suspected of having a disability.
5. Each local educational agency that develops and maintains coordinated, early intervening services under this section shall annually report to the Virginia Department of Education on:
a. The number of children served under this section who received early intervening services; and
b. The number of children served under this section who received early intervening services and subsequently receive special education and related services under Part B of the Act during the preceding two-year period.
6. Funds made available to carry out this section may be used to carry out coordinated, early intervening services aligned with activities funded by, and carried out under the ESEA if those funds are used to supplement, and not supplant, funds made available under the ESEA for the activities and services assisted under this section.
7. The amount of funds expended by a local educational agency for early intervening services shall count toward the maximum amount of expenditures that the local educational agency may reduce when determining compliance with the requirement for maintenance of effort.
8. If the Virginia Department of Education determines significant disproportionality based on race and ethnicity is occurring in a local educational agency in the identification of children with disabilities, or the placement of identified children in a particular educational setting, the local educational agency shall:
a. Use 15% of its Part B funds to provide comprehensive coordinated early intervening services particularly, but not exclusively, to those groups that were significantly overidentified; and
b. Publicly report on the revision of policies, practices, and procedures used in the identification and placement of children with disabilities.
I. If the Virginia Department of Education determines that a local school division is adequately providing a free appropriate public education to all children with disabilities residing in the area served by that school division with state and local funds, the department may reallocate any portion of the funds under Part B of the Act that are not needed by the school division to provide a free appropriate public education to other school divisions in the state that are not adequately providing special education and related services to all children with disabilities residing in the areas they serve. (34 CFR 300.705 and 34 CFR 300.817)
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia; 20 USC § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009.
8VAC20-81-270. Funds to assist with the education of children with disabilities residing in state-operated programs.
A. State mental health facilities. State funds for education for children in state mental health facilities are appropriated to the Virginia Department of Education. Local funds for such education shall be an amount equal to the required local per pupil expenditure for the period during which a local school division has a child in residence at a state mental health facility. Such amount shall be transferred by the Virginia Department of Education from the local school division's basic aid funds to the mental health facilities. Federal funds are available under the provisions of the Act. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
B. State training centers for people with intellectual disabilities. State funds for special education and related services for children with disabilities in state training centers for people with intellectual disabilities are appropriated to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Local funds for such education shall be an amount equal to the required local per pupil expenditure for the period during which a local school division has a child in residence at a state mental retardation facility. Such amount shall be transferred by the Virginia Department of Education from the local school division's basic aid funds to the centers. Federal funds are available under the provisions of the Act. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
C. State specialized children's hospitals. State funds for special education and related services are appropriated to the Virginia Department of Education. Federal funds are available under the provisions of the Act. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
D. Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center. State funds for education for children are appropriated to the Virginia Department of Education. Federal funds are available under the provisions of the Act. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
E. Regional and local juvenile detention homes. State funds for education services are appropriated to the Virginia Department of Education. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
F. State-operated diagnostic clinics. State funds for the employment of educational consultants assigned to child development and other specialty clinics operated by the state Department of Health are appropriated to the Virginia Department of Education. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
G. Virginia Department of Correctional Education. State funds for the education of children, including children with disabilities, are appropriated to the Virginia Department of Correctional Education for the education of all children residing in state adult or juvenile correctional facilities and juveniles committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and placed in a private facility under contract with the Department of Juvenile Justice. Federal funds are available under the provisions of the Act. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
H. The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind at Staunton. State funds are appropriated directly to the school to operate day and residential special education programs for children placed by local school divisions. Local funds for the education of children at the Virginia school shall be the amount equal to the local per pupil expenditure for the period in which the child is a resident of the school. Such amount shall be transferred by the Virginia Department of Education from the local school division's basic aid funds to the Virginia school. (Virginia Appropriation Act; 34 CFR 300.705)
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009; Errata, 26:4 VA.R. 447-448 October 26, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 8, eff. January 25, 2010.
8VAC20-81-280. Funding, withholding, and recovery of funds.
A. The Virginia Department of Education shall disburse funds to local educational agencies for the education of children with disabilities, aged two to 21, inclusive, when they provide documentation of compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. (34 CFR 300.200)
B. If documentation of compliance is not submitted or is inadequate, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall provide reasonable notice to the local educational agency that state and federal funds will not be available for reimbursement for special education programs and services. (34 CFR 300.155 and 34 CFR 300.221)
1. The notification shall include the substance of the alleged violation, and the local educational agency shall be given an opportunity to submit a written response; and
2. The local educational agency shall have the right to appeal to the Virginia Board of Education under 8VAC20-81-290.
C. Whenever the Virginia Board of Education, in its discretion, determines that a local educational agency fails to establish and maintain programs of free and appropriate public education that comply with the regulations established by the board, the board may withhold all state and federal funds for the education of eligible children with disabilities and may use the payments that would have been available to such local educational agency to provide special education, directly or by contract, to eligible children with disabilities in such manner as the board considers appropriate. (§ 22.1-214 E of the Code of Virginia)
D. If the Superintendent of Public Instruction, after reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing under 8VAC20-81-290, finds that a local educational agency has failed to comply with the state and federal laws and regulations and determines that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means, the Superintendent shall issue a decision in writing stating that state and federal funds for the education of eligible children with disabilities shall not be made available to that local educational agency until it complies with the state and federal laws and regulations. (34 CFR 300.155 and 34 CFR 300.222)
E. If there is evidence that a child has been erroneously classified and thereby counted as eligible for state and federal special education funds and such evidence is challenged by the local educational agency, the foregoing due process procedures shall apply. (34 CFR 300.155, 34 CFR 300.221 and 34 CFR 300.222)
F. If it is determined that such funds have been erroneously claimed, the Virginia Department of Education shall bill the local educational agency for the amount of funds improperly received and withhold an equal amount of state or federal funds for the following year if not repaid by the local educational agency. (34 CFR 300.155, 34 CFR 300.221 and 34 CFR 300.222)
G. Any local educational agency in receipt of a notice, as described in subsection B of this section, shall provide public notice to the local educational agency's jurisdiction regarding pendency of the action. (34 CFR 300.222)
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia; 20 USC § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009; Errata, 26:4 VA.R. 447-448 October 26, 2009.
8VAC20-81-290. Appeal of administrative decision regarding funding.
A. The Virginia Department of Education's recommendation to disapprove local eligibility for funding under the Act, or withhold state and federal funds for special education and related services, may be appealed by a local educational agency. (34 CFR 76.401 and 34 CFR 300.155)
B. The procedures for the appeal of administrative decisions are as follows: (34 CFR 76.401 and 34 CFR 300.155)
1.The local educational agency shall request, in writing, a hearing by the Virginia Department of Education within 30 business days from the receipt of notification from the Superintendent of Public Instruction;
2. Within 10 business days from the date of request for a hearing, the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall notify the local educational agency in writing of the date, time, and location of the hearing;
3. The hearing shall be conducted within 15 business days from the date of notification;
4. The hearing shall be conducted by an independent hearing officer in conformance with the provisions of §§ 2.2-4020 and 2.2-4024 of the Code of Virginia;
5. Witnesses and attorneys may be present and testify for the Virginia Department of Education or the local educational agency;
6. A written or electronic verbatim record shall be kept of all proceedings of the hearing;
7. The hearing officer shall review all pertinent evidence presented and shall render a decision based on the preponderance of evidence presented at the hearing and on applicable state and federal law;
8. No later than 10 business days after the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written ruling, including findings of fact and reasons for the findings;
9. The decision made by the hearing officer shall be final unless an appeal is requested by a local educational agency;
10. If the Virginia Department of Education does not rescind its final action after a review under this subsection, the applicant may appeal to the U.S. Secretary of Education under the provisions of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations; and
11. Notice of appeal shall be filed within 20 days after the local educational agency has been notified by the Virginia Department of Education of the results of the hearing.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia; 20 USC § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009.
8VAC20-81-300. Use of public and private insurance.
A. Children with disabilities who are covered by public benefits or insurance. (34 CFR 300.154(d))
1. A local educational agency may use Medicaid or other public benefits or insurance programs in which a child participates to provide or pay for services required under this chapter and as permitted under the public benefits or insurance program except as provided in subdivision 2 of this subsection.
2. With regard to services required to provide a free appropriate public education to an eligible child with a disability, a local educational agency:
a. Shall provide notice to the parent(s) that the local educational agency:
(1) May not require the parent(s) to sign up for or enroll in public benefits or insurance programs in order for their child to receive a free appropriate public education;
(2) May not require the parent(s) to incur any out-of-pocket expense, such as the payment of a deductible or co-pay amount incurred in filing a claim for services provided pursuant to this section, but in accordance with subsection C of this section may pay the cost that the parent(s) otherwise would be required to pay; and
(3) May not use a child's benefits under a public benefits or insurance program if that use would:
(a) Decrease available lifetime coverage or any other insured benefit;
(b) Result in the family's paying for services that would otherwise be covered by the public benefits or insurance program and that are required for the child outside of the time the child is in school;
(c) Increase premiums or lead to the discontinuation of benefits insurance; or
(d) Risk loss of eligibility for home and community-based waivers, based on aggregate health-related expenditures.
b. Shall obtain informed parental consent each time that access to public benefits or insurance is sought, including parental consent to release educational information to the public benefits of insurance program for billing purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Management of the Student's Scholastic Record in the Public Schools of Virginia (8VAC20-150); and
c. Shall provide notice to the parent(s) that refusal to allow access to their public benefits or insurance does not relieve the local educational agency of its responsibility to ensure that all required services are provided at no cost to the parent(s).
B. Children with disabilities who are covered by private insurance. (34 CFR 300.154(e))
1. With regard to services required to provide a free appropriate public education to an eligible child under this chapter, a local educational agency may access a parent's private insurance proceeds only if the parent provides informed consent.
2. Each time the local educational agency proposes to access a parent's private insurance proceeds, it shall:
a. Obtain informed parental consent, including parental consent to release educational information to the private insurance program for billing purposes in accordance with the provisions of the Management of the Student's Scholastic Record in the Public Schools of Virginia (8VAC20-150); and
b. Inform the parent(s) that the refusal to permit the local educational agency to access their private insurance does not relieve the local educational agency of its responsibility to ensure that all required services are provided at no cost to the parent(s).
C. Use of Part B funds. (34 CFR 300.154(f))
1. If a local educational agency is unable to obtain parental consent to use the parent's private insurance, or public benefits or insurance when the parent(s) would incur a cost for a specified service required under this chapter to ensure a free appropriate public education, the local educational agency may use its Part B funds under the Act to pay for the service.
2. To avoid financial cost to a parent who otherwise would consent to use private insurance, or public benefits or insurance if the parent would incur a cost, the local educational agency may use its Part B funds to pay the costs the parent otherwise would have to pay to use the parent's benefits or insurance (e.g., deductible or co-pay amounts).
D. Proceeds from public or private insurance. (34 CFR 80.25 and 34 CFR 300.154(g))
1. Proceeds from public benefits or insurance or private insurance is not treated as program income for purposes of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations.
2. If a local educational agency spends reimbursements from federal funds (e.g., Medicaid) for services under this chapter, those funds are not considered state or local funds for purposes of the maintenance of effort provisions.
E. Nothing in this chapter should be construed to alter the requirements imposed on a state Medicaid agency or any other agency administering a public benefits or insurance program by federal law, regulations, or policy under Title XIX or Title XXI of the Social Security Act, or any other public benefits or insurance program. (34 CFR 300.154(h))
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia; 20 USC § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009.
8VAC20-81-310. Attorneys' fees.
A. In any action or proceeding brought under § 1415 of the Act, the court in its discretion may award reasonable attorneys' fees as part of the costs: (34 CFR 300.517(a))
1. To the prevailing party who is the parent(s) of a child with a disability;
2. To a prevailing party who is a local educational agency or the Virginia Department of Education against the attorney of a parent who files a request for due process or subsequent cause of action that is frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation, or against the attorney of a parent who continued to litigate after the litigation clearly became frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation; or
3. To a prevailing party who is a local educational agency or the Virginia Department of Education against the attorney of a parent, or against the parent, if the parent's request for a due process hearing, or subsequent cause of action was presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay, or to needlessly increase the cost of litigation.
B. Funds under Part B may not be used to pay attorneys' fees or costs of a party related to any action or proceeding under § 1415 and Subpart E of the Act. This section does not preclude a local educational agency from using funds under the Act for conducting an action or proceeding under § 1415 of the Act. (34 CFR 300.517(b))
C. A court awards reasonable attorneys' fees under § 1415 of the Act consistent with the following: (34 CFR 300.517(c))
1. Determination of amount of attorneys' fees. Fees awarded under § 1415(i)(3) of the Act shall be based on rates prevailing in the community in which the action or proceeding arose for the kind and quality of services furnished. No bonus or multiplier may be used in calculating the fees awarded under this subsection.
2. Prohibition of attorneys' fees and related costs for certain services.
a. Attorneys' fees may not be awarded and related costs may not be reimbursed in any action or proceeding under § 1415 of the Act for services performed subsequent to the time of a written offer of settlement to a parent(s) if:
(1) The offer is made within the time prescribed by Rule 68 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or, in the case of an administrative proceeding, at any time more than 10 calendar days before the proceeding begins;
(2) The offer is not accepted within 10 calendar days; and
(3) The court or administrative special education hearing officer finds that the relief finally obtained by the parent(s) is not more favorable to the parent(s) than the offer of settlement.
b. Attorneys' fees may not be awarded relating to any meeting of the IEP team unless the meeting is convened as a result of an administrative proceeding or judicial action, or for a mediation session.
c. A resolution session convened in accordance with 8VAC20-81-210 will not be considered:
(1) A meeting convened as a result of an administrative hearing or judicial action; or
(2) An administrative hearing or judicial action for purposes of this subsection.
3. Exception to prohibition on attorneys' fees and related costs. Notwithstanding subdivision 2 of this subsection, an award of attorneys' fees and related costs may be made to a parent(s) who is the prevailing party and who was substantially justified in rejecting the settlement offer.
4. Reduction of amount of attorneys' fees. Except as provided in subdivision 5 of this subsection, the court reduces, accordingly, the amount of the attorneys' fees awarded under this chapter if the court finds that:
a. The parent(s), or the parent's attorney, during the course of the action or proceeding, unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the controversy;
b. The amount of the attorneys' fees otherwise authorized to be awarded unreasonably exceeds the hourly rate prevailing in the community for similar services by attorneys of reasonably comparable skill, reputation, and experience;
c. The time spent and legal services furnished were excessive considering the nature of the action or proceeding; or
d. The attorney representing the parent(s) did not provide to the local educational agency the appropriate information in the request for a due process hearing in accordance with this chapter.
5. Exception to reduction in amount of attorneys' fees. The provisions of subdivision 4 of this subsection do not apply in any action or proceeding if the court finds that the Virginia Department of Education or the local educational agency unreasonably protracted the final resolution of the action or proceeding or there was a violation of § 1415 of the Act.
Statutory Authority
§§ 22.1-16 and 22.1-214 of the Code of Virginia; 20 USC § 1400 et seq.; 34 CFR Part 300.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 21, eff. July 7, 2009.