(a) Regardless of the amount of funds appropriated for the PAIR program in a fiscal year, an eligible system shall submit to the Secretary an application for assistance under this part at the time and in the form and manner determined by the Secretary that contains all information that the Secretary determines necessary, including assurances that the eligible system will—

1. (1) Have in effect a system to protect, and advocate for, the rights of eligible individuals with disabilities;
2. (2) Have the same general authorities, including the authority to access records and program income, as in part C of title I of the DD Act;
3. (3) Have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies or approaches to ensure the protection of, and advocacy for, the rights of eligible individuals with disabilities within the State and the American Indian Consortium;
4. (4) Provide information on and make referrals to programs and services addressing the needs of individuals with disabilities in the State and the American Indian Consortium, including individuals with disabilities who are exiting from school programs;
5. (5) Develop a statement of objectives and priorities on an annual basis and a plan for achieving these objectives and priorities;

6. (6) Provide to the public, including individuals with disabilities and, as appropriate, their representatives, an opportunity to comment on the objectives and priorities established by, and activities of, the eligible system including—

   1. (i) The objectives and priorities for the activities of the eligible system for each year and the rationale for the establishment of those objectives and priorities; and

   2. (ii) The coordination of the PAIR program provided through eligible systems with the advocacy programs under—

      1. (A) Section 112 of the Act (CAP);
      2. (B) The Older Americans Act of 1965 (the State long-term care ombudsman program);
      3. (C) Part C of the DD Act; and
      4. (D) The PAIMI;
7. (7) Establish a grievance procedure for clients or prospective clients of the eligible system to ensure that individuals with disabilities are afforded equal access to the services of the eligible system;
8. (8) Use funds made available under this part to supplement and not supplant the non-Federal funds that would otherwise be made available for the purpose for which Federal funds are provided; and
9. (9) Implement procedures designed to ensure that, to the maximum extent possible, mediation (and other alternative dispute resolution) procedures, which include good faith negotiation, are used before resorting to formal administrative or legal remedies.

(b) To receive direct payment of funds under this part, an eligible system must provide to the Secretary, as part of its application for assistance, an assurance that direct payment is not prohibited by or inconsistent with tribal or State law, regulation, or policy.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0018)

(Authority: Sections 12(c) and 509(f) and (g)(1) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; 29 U.S.C. 709(c) and 794e(f) and (g)(1))