Parents could soon recover expert witness cost in Due process and litigation.

COPAA Praises Senate introduction of The IDEA Fairness Restoration Act

Restores a prevailing parent’s right to recoup expert witness fees which are needed in every child’s case

Washington, DC – Today in response to Chairman Tom Harkin’s introduction of The IDEA Fairness Restoration Act, Denise Marshall, COPAA executive director made the following statement:

“We appreciate Chairman Harkin’s tireless work and commitment to helping restore the right of prevailing parents to recover their expert witness costs in due process and litigation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The bill protects parents’ ability to be meaningful partners in their child’s education and exercise due process rights when their child is not being provided a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) as required under the law. For the 6 million students with disabilities, the right under IDEA to a hearing before an impartial hearing officer must be affordable to be meaningful.   Only a small percentage of families – just .27% according to the U.S. Department of Education – exercise this right.”