Sec. 29.010. COMPLIANCE. (a) The agency shall adopt and implement a comprehensive system for monitoring school district compliance with federal and state laws relating to special education. The monitoring system must provide for ongoing analysis of district special education data and of complaints filed with the agency concerning special education services and for inspections of school districts at district facilities. The agency shall use the information obtained through analysis of district data and from the complaints management system to determine the appropriate schedule for and extent of the inspection.

(b) To complete the inspection, the agency must obtain information from parents and teachers of students in special education programs in the district.

(c) The agency shall develop and implement a system of sanctions for school districts whose most recent monitoring visit shows a failure to comply with major requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.), federal regulations, state statutes, or agency requirements necessary to carry out federal law or regulations or state law relating to special education.

(d) For districts that remain in noncompliance for more than one year, the first stage of sanctions shall begin with annual or more frequent monitoring visits. Subsequent sanctions may range in severity up to the withholding of funds. If funds are withheld, the agency may use the funds to provide, through alternative arrangements, services to students and staff members in the district from which the funds are withheld.

(e) The agency's complaint management division shall develop a system for expedited investigation and resolution of complaints concerning a district's failure to provide special education or related services to a student eligible to participate in the district's special education program.

(f) This section does not create an obligation for or impose a requirement on a school district or open-enrollment charter school that is not also created or imposed under another state law or a federal law.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1417, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1999.