1. (a) There is established under the department a division of special education. The division shall exercise all the power and duties set out in this chapter, IC 20-35-3 through IC 20-35-6 , and IC 20-35-8 .

2. (b) The secretary of education shall appoint a director of special education who serves at the pleasure of the secretary of education. The director shall do the following:

   1. (1) Have general supervision of special education programs and services, including those conducted by school corporations, charter schools, the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Indiana School for the Deaf, the department of correction, and the division of mental health and addiction to ensure compliance with federal and state special education laws and rules.
   2. (2) Take appropriate action to ensure school corporations, charter schools, and the department remain eligible for federal special education funds.

   3. (3) Oversee the training of hearing officers and establish guidelines as described in IC 20-35-14-5 .

      [Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-1-6-2.1.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.218-2005, SEC.79; P.L.93-2006, SEC.16; P.L.141-2006, SEC.96; P.L.1-2007, SEC.149; P.L.234-2007, SEC.121; P.L.233-2015, SEC.275; P.L.43-2021, SEC.114; P.L.162-2024, SEC.22; P.L.201-2025, SEC.5; P.L.214-2025, SEC.188; P.L.23-2026, SEC.201.