Students with disabilities; remove requirement for signing of a confidentiality pledge before mediation begins in alignment with federal law.

HB 1205 removes a requirement that parents sign a confidentiality pledge before mediation begins for disputes about special education services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). This change aligns Mississippi's state law with federal policy, directly affecting students with disabilities and their families who use mediation to resolve disagreements about educational evaluations, placements, or services. The bill modifies Section 37-23-141 to eliminate the pre-mediation signature step while keeping other mediation rules intact, such as voluntary participation, confidentiality during sessions, and state-funded costs. The change aims to streamline the process without altering the core mediation structure.