D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 5-A, § 3055
Attorney’s Fees
Effective Jul 1, 2022Published May 27, 202269 DCR 005902Authority: Sections 3(b)(8), 3(b)(9), 3(b)(10), 3(b)(11), and 3(b)(15) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000, effective October 21, 2000, (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-2602(b)(8), (b)(9), (b)(10), (b)(11) and (b)(15) (2018 Repl.)); Sections 102(b) and 202(b) of the Enhanced Special Education Services Amendment Act of 2014, effective March 10, 2015 (D.C. Law 20-195; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-2614(a)(1) & (b) and 38-2561.02(a)(2018 Repl.)); Section 115 of the Placement of Students with Disabilities in Nonpublic Schools Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 14, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-269; D.C. Official Code § 38-2561.15) (2018 Repl.)); Mayor’s Order 2007-149, dated June 28, 2007; Part B and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, approved December 3, 2004 (Pub. L. 108-446; 118 Stat. 2647; 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) (“IDEA”) and regulations promulgated thereunder at 34 C.F.R. Parts 300 and 303; and Title I, Subpart A and Title III, Subpart A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, approved April 11, 1965 (Pub. L. 89-10, 79 Stat. 27), as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, approved December 10, 2015 (Pub. L. 114-95, 129 Stat. 1802; 20 U.S.C. §§ 6311-6339 and §§ 6811-6861) and Section 204(f) of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, approved August 21, 1974 (Pub. L. 93-380; 88 Stat. 514; 20 U.S.C. § 1703(f)). Source: Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 005902 (May 27, 2022).District of Columbia, Office of the Secretary
3055.1 In an action or proceeding under this chapter, courts may award reasonable attorney's fees as part of the costs to the following:
- (a) The parent of a child with a disability who is the prevailing party;
- (b) A prevailing party who is a state educational agency or local educational agency against the attorney of a parent who files a complaint or subsequent cause of action that is frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation, or against the attorney of a parent who continued to litigate after the litigation clearly became frivolous, unreasonable, or without foundation; or
- (c) A prevailing state educational agency or local educational agency against the attorney of a parent, or against the parent, if the parent's complaint or subsequent cause of action was presented for any improper purpose, such as to harass, to cause unnecessary delay, or to needlessly increase the cost of litigation.
3055.2 Attorney's fees shall be considered reasonable if they are at rates consistent with applicable local and federal laws.
SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 005902 (May 27, 2022).