During the consideration of any proposed rule, when feasible, and using information available to it, the department shall identify provisions of the proposed rule that the department believes would impose a regulatory burden more stringent than the burden imposed by the corresponding federal statute or regulation, if such a federal statute or regulation exists, and explain in a separate section of the basis statement the justification for the difference between the agency rule and the federal statute or regulation.

Sec. 16. 20-A MRSA §7006 is enacted to read:

§7006.__Responsibility

The Department of Education is designated as the state education agency responsible for carrying out the State's obligations under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1400 et seq., as amended.__The department and every school administrative unit, intermediate educational unit, public school or other public agency that receives federal or state funds to provide early intervention or free appropriate public education services to infants, toddlers or children from birth to under 20 years of age with disabilities shall comply with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, and all federal regulations adopted under the Act.

Sec. 17. 20-A MRSA c. 303, as amended, is further amended by repealing the chapter headnote and enacting the following in its place:

CHAPTER 303

CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Sec. 18. 20-A MRSA §7201, as amended by PL 1995, c. 95, §1, is further amended to read:

§7201. Policy and purpose

The policy of the State for the education of exceptional students children with disabilities is as follows.

1. Equal educational opportunities. All students shall must be provided with equal educational opportunities and all