HB 655 - Current law requires that students receiving special education services must be accommodated when possible by special aids and services rather than separate classes. This act deletes the aforementioned provision and reiterates it to require that separate schooling be used only when education in regular classes with aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.

The act also revises the procedure for review of hearing panel decisions, requiring the court to receive the administrative record, hear additional evidence if requested, and rule on the preponderance of the evidence.

The act provides for a period in which judicial review may be petitioned. The act permits appeals of the court's decision and makes the provisions of the administrative procedure chapter of state statute applicable to special education due process hearings and appeals under certain circumstances.
DONALD THALHUBER