Ch. 717                                          LAWS OF MARYLAND

(5)  The panel for any State level hearing shall be
selected in the following manner:

(i) The Board shall provide the parents with
four names, which, unless otherwise agreed upon by both parties,
shall be chosen in rotating alphabetical sequence from the list
of hearing officers;

(ii) The parents shall choose three of the
four; and

(iii) The parents shall notify the Board of
their selection within 15 days of the Board's notification. In
the absence of such notification by parents, the Board shall
assign hearing officers in rotating alphabetical sequence
starting with the list in subparagraph (i) above.

(6)  If it becomes necessary to provide a substitute
hearing officer for a member of the panel chosen by the method
presciribed in paragraph (5) of this subsection, the Board shall
choose from the list in rotating alphabetical sequence the next
available person.

(7)  The Board shall maintain and make publicly
available a complete record of all requests, successful or not,
of hearing officers to serve on panels.

(c) (1) The State hearing board may:

(i) After review of the educational records of
the child, dismiss any request for review which does not relate
to a matter described in subsection (b)(1) of this section;

(ii) Hear any testimony that it considers
relevant;

(iii) Require a complete and independent
diagnosis, evaluation, and prescription of educational programs
by qualified persons, the cost of which shall be paid by the
State Board; and

(iv) Subject to § 8-409 of this subtitle,
confirm, modify, or reject any diagnosis, evaluation, educational
program, or exclusion or exemption of the child from school
privileges and require alternate special educational programs for
the child.

(2)  The hearing board shall make its decision within
the time prescribed by the bylaws of the State Board of Education
and applicable federal law or regulations.

(3)  Each board member is entitled to a reasonable fee
and expenses as established by the State Board.

- 4752 -