| | | 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 | | children with disabilities shall comply with the federal | | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, and all | | federal regulations adopted under the Act. |
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| | | Sec. A-21. 20-A MRSA c. 303, as amended, is further amended by | | repealing the chapter headnote and enacting the following in its | | place: |
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| | | CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES |
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| | | Sec. A-22. 20-A MRSA §7201, as amended by PL 1995, c. 95, §1, is | | further amended to read: |
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| | | §7201. Policy and purpose |
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| | | The policy of the State for the education of exceptional | students |
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| | | 1. Equal educational opportunities. All students shall | | be provided with equal educational opportunities and all school | | administrative units shall provide equal educational | opportunities for all exceptional students | | disabilities. |
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| | | 2. Least restrictive education alternative. An exceptional | student shall be educated with students in regular programs to | the maximum extent possible. |
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| | A. Educational opportunities for an exceptional student | shall be provided by means of the addition of appropriate | supportive assistance to regular educational programs. |
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| | B. Removal of an exceptional student from the regular | educational environment shall occur only if the nature or | severity of the exceptionality is such that the student's | education cannot be satisfactorily accomplished in: |
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| | (1) Regular classes with the use of supplemental aids and | services; or |
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