(a) The hearing officer shall disqualify himself or herself from presiding over any case:
- (1) In which he or she has a personal or professional interest; and
- (2) That might conflict with the hearing officer’s objectivity in the hearing.
- (b) The Department of Education shall appoint a replacement hearing officer pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., and these procedures.