<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04" citation="COMAR 13A.05.01.04" title_num="13A" subtitle_num="05" chapter_num="01" heading="Referral.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Referral to a Public Agency.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A student with a suspected disability who may need special education shall be referred, in writing, to a public agency.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An initial referral may be initiated by:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The student's parent; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A representative of a public agency.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A public agency shall promptly request parental consent to assess a student to determine if the student needs special education and related services:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>When, prior to a referral, the student has not made adequate progress after an appropriate period of time when provided instruction, as described in §B(1) of this regulation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Whenever a student is referred for an evaluation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A public agency shall adhere to the time frames described in Regulation .06A of this chapter, unless the student's parent and the IEP team extend the time frame by mutual written agreement.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Determination of Need for Assessment.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The public agency shall ensure:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>That assessment procedures are administered as needed, in accordance with Regulation .05 of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The student's parent receives written notice of any assessment procedure the public agency proposes or refuses to conduct, in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The public agency shall provide the student's parent written notice in accordance with Regulation .12 of this chapter if the public agency:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Determines that no additional data is needed; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Does not suspect the student of being a student with a disability or a student with a developmental delay in accordance with this chapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If the parent disagrees with the decision as described in §B(2) of this regulation, the parent may appeal the decision in accordance with Regulation .15B and C of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>