(a) A hearing must not be conducted by:

1. (1) A person who is an employee of the state education agency or of the local education agency that is involved in the education or care of the child; or
2. (2) Any person having a personal or professional interest that would conflict with his or her objectivity in the hearing.

(b) A hearing officer must possess the:

1. (1) Knowledge of, and the ability to understand, the:

   1. (A) Provisions of the act;
   2. (B) Federal and state regulations and rules pertaining to the act; and
   3. (C) Legal interpretations of the act by federal and state courts;
2. (2) Knowledge and ability to conduct hearings in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice; and
3. (3) Knowledge and ability to render and write decisions in accordance with appropriate, standard legal practice.

(d)

1. (1) Each public agency must keep a list of the persons who serve as hearing officers.
2. (2) The list must include a statement of the qualifications of each hearing officer.