(a) The lead agency must ensure parental consent is obtained before—
- (1) Administering screening procedures under § 303.320 that are used to determine whether a child is suspected of having a disability;
- (2) All evaluations and assessments of a child are conducted under § 303.321;
- (3) Early intervention services are provided to the child under this part;
- (4) Public benefits or insurance or private insurance is used if such consent is required under § 303.520; and
- (5) Disclosure of personally identifiable information consistent with § 303.414.
(b) If a parent does not give consent under paragraph (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of this section, the lead agency must make reasonable efforts to ensure that the parent—
- (1) Is fully aware of the nature of the evaluation and assessment of the child or early intervention services that would be available; and
- (2) Understands that the child will not be able to receive the evaluation, assessment, or early intervention service unless consent is given.
- (c) The lead agency may not use the due process hearing procedures under this part or part B of the Act to challenge a parent's refusal to provide any consent that is required under paragraph (a) of this section.
(d) The parents of an infant or toddler with a disability—
- (1) Determine whether they, their infant or toddler with a disability, or other family members will accept or decline any early intervention service under this part at any time, in accordance with State law; and
(2) May decline a service after first accepting it, without jeopardizing other early intervention services under this part.
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1436(e), 1439(a)(3))