(1) A school district may establish procedures to offer parents who elect not to use the mediation process to meet, at a time and location convenient to the parents, with a disinterested party:
(a) Who is under contract with appropriate alternative dispute resolution entity or a parent training and information center; and
(b) Who would explain the benefits of the mediation process, and encourage the parents to use the process.
(2) A school district or other public agency may not deny or delay a parent's right to a due process hearing under this chapter if the parent fails to participate in the meeting described in this section.
(3) A school district shall submit its procedures for implementing this section to the OSPI for review and approval, including projected costs for carrying out the process.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28A.155.090(7) and 42 U.S.C. 1400 et. seq. 07-14-078, § 392-172A-05075, filed 6/29/07, effective 7/30/07.]