Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §7501, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 693, §§5 and 8, is amended to read:

§7501. Private schools

The Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner may require that special education programs in an approved private school or agency receiving state funds comply with rules for the conduct of programs within public schools. The commissioner may not require an approved private school to comply with such rules if the commissioner finds that the private school has, and for at least the immediately preceding 5 years has had, an effective program for and record of educating and helping the exceptional students it enrolls, and if the commissioner finds that the private school is likely to continue to be effective in educating exceptional students.

SUMMARY

This bill allows the Commissioner of Education to waive the requirement that private schools comply with rules for the conduct of special education programs within public schools if the commissioner finds that the private school has, and has had for at least 5 years, an effective program helping exceptional students and if the commissioner finds the program is likely to continue to be effective.