4.__Director of early childhood special education.__For the period from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2008, the commissioner shall appoint a director of early childhood special education.__The director has the following powers and duties:

A.__To administer the State Intermediate Educational Unit established under subsection 3.__The director shall develop operating policies and establish organizational and operational procedures;

B.__To develop statewide policies and procedures for carrying out federal and state laws and rules relating to childfind as defined in section 7725, early intervention services and the provision of a free, appropriate public education to children from birth to under 6 years of age; and

C.__To provide training in federal and state laws, regulations, rules and policies relating to child find as provided in 20 United States Code, Section 1412 (a) (3), early intervention services and the provision of a free, appropriate public education to children from birth to under 6 years of age and to conduct regular file reviews to determine compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, rules and policies and conduct training and provide technical assistance where deficiencies are found.

5.__School administrative units.__Notwithstanding subsection 4, paragraph A, school administrative units that are willing and able may assume responsibility for the children with disabilities within their jurisdiction prior to the fall of 2008, if the unit's program is approved by the commissioner.

6.__Repeal.__This section is repealed June 30, 2008.

Sec. 26. 20-A MRSA §7251, as amended by PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §73, is further amended to read:

§7251. Local early intervention and special education programs

A school administrative unit may establish an appropriate early intervention or special education program.

Sec. 27. 20-A MRSA §7251-A, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §74, is amended to read:

§7251-A. Local early intervention and special education services