Sec. 1. (a) There is established under the state board a division of special education. The division shall exercise all the power and duties set out in this chapter, IC 20-35-3 through IC 20-35-6, and IC 20-35-8.

     (b) The governor shall appoint, upon the recommendation of the secretary of education, a director of special education who serves at the pleasure of the governor. The amount of compensation of the director shall be determined by the budget agency with the approval of the governor. The director has the following duties:

(1) To do the following:

(A) Have general supervision of special education programs and services, including those conducted by school corporations, charter schools, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Indiana School for the Deaf, the department of correction, and the division of mental health and addiction to ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws and rules.

(B) Take appropriate action to ensure school corporations, charter schools, and the department remain eligible for federal special education funds.

(C) Oversee the training of hearing officers and establish guidelines as described in IC 20-35-14-5.

(2) With the consent of the secretary of education and the budget agency, to appoint and determine salaries for any assistants and other personnel needed to enable the director to accomplish the duties of the director’s office.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-1-6-2.1.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.218-2005, SEC.79; P.L.93-2006, SEC.16; P.L.141-2006, SEC.96; P.L.1-2007, SEC.149; P.L.234-2007, SEC.121; P.L.233-2015, SEC.275; P.L.43-2021, SEC.114; P.L.162-2024, SEC.22.