HCS/SB 834 - This act alters various provisions of the state's special education policy. Currently, Section 162.950, RSMo, allows for an optional resolution conference to occur as the first step of due process in special education disputes. This act removes the aforementioned section and therefore the resolution conference option. Further, the act removes other provisions relating to the optional resolution conferences as well as several intersectional references to such. Current law imposes a forty-five day time line for the completion of the due process hearings. This act removes this forty-five day limit and instead incorporates by reference the requirements of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards for such hearings. The act provides that evaluations of private school students suspected of having a disability under the IDEA will be conducted by the school district in which the private school is located. DONALD THALHUBER