An agency reviewing a request by a charter school to participate as a local educational agency in a special education local plan area may not treat the charter school differently from the manner in which it treats a similar request made by a school district. In reviewing and approving a request by a charter school to participate as a local educational agency in a special education local plan area, a local or state agency shall ensure all of the following:

(a) The special education local plan area complies with Section 56140.

(b) The charter school participates in state and federal funding for special education and the allocation plan developed pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 56195.7 or Section 56836.05 in the same manner as other local educational agencies of the special education local plan area.

(c) The charter school participates in governance of the special education local plan area and benefits from services provided throughout the special education local plan area, in the same manner as other local educational agencies of the special education local plan area.

(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 78, Sec. 32.8. Effective July 7, 1999.)