Advisory Council for Special Education.

(b) The advisory council shall elect annually its own chairperson and other officers as deemed necessary. The council shall meet at least once during each calendar quarter and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary or upon the request of a majority of members in office. The State Board of Education shall meet at least annually with the council to review the state plan for the provision of special education. A majority of the members in office, but not less than ten, shall constitute a quorum. Any member who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from office. The member appointed by the Commissioner of Education who is an official of the department shall meet with and act as secretary to the advisory council. Members of the advisory council shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Department of Education shall provide secretarial and administrative assistance to facilitate the activity of the advisory council. The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall appoint a liaison person to the advisory council. (c) The advisory council shall: (1) Advise the Department of Education of unmet needs in educating children with disabilities and on the administration of the provisions of sections 10-94f to 10-94k , inclusive; (2) review periodically the laws, regulations, standards and guidelines pertaining to special education and recommend to the General Assembly and the State Board of Education any changes which it finds necessary; (3) comment on any new or revised regulations, standards and guidelines proposed for issuance; (4) participate with the State Board of Education in the development of any state eligibility documents for provision of special education; (5) comment publicly on any procedures necessary for distributing federal funds received pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as from time to time amended; (6) assist the Department of Education in developing and reporting such data and evaluations as may be conducted pursuant to the provisions of said act; (7) report to the General Assembly not later than January fifteenth in the odd-numbered years and not later than February fifteenth in the even-numbered years, concerning recommendations for effecting changes in the special education laws; and (8) perform any other activity that is required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400, et seq., as from time to time amended. Cited. 179 C. 694; 228 C. 699; 229 C. 1. Cited. 35 CS 501; 44 CS 527.