Special education: due process hearings: extension of hearings: good cause.

Existing law requires local educational agencies to identify, locate, and assess individuals with exceptional needs and to provide those pupils with a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, with special education and related services as reflected in an individualized education program. Existing law enumerates the requirements for state hearings regarding whether an individual with exceptional needs received a free appropriate public education, including the requirement that upon completion of the hearing, a written, reasoned decision be mailed to all parties to the hearing, as provided. Existing law authorizes either party to the hearing to request that the hearing officer grant an extension and requires the extension to be granted upon a showing of good cause. This bill would require the hearing officer to apply a certain rule of court in making a determination of what constitutes good cause and would authorize a 2nd or subsequent extension to be granted for good cause or any other purpose at the discretion of the hearing officer.