20-7-411. Regular classes preferred -- obligation to establish special education program. (1) A child with a disability in Montana is entitled to a free appropriate public education provided in the least restrictive alternative setting. To the maximum extent appropriate, a child with a disability, including a child in a public or private institution or other care facility, must be educated with children who do not have disabilities. Separate schooling or other removal of a child with a disability from the regular educational environment may occur only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
     (2) The board of trustees of every school district shall provide or establish and maintain a special education program for each child with a disability between the ages of 6 and 18, inclusive.
     (3) The board of trustees of each elementary district shall provide or establish and maintain a special education program for each preschool child with a disability between the ages of 3 and 6, inclusive.
     (4) The board of trustees of a school district may meet its obligation to serve persons with disabilities by establishing its own special education program, by establishing a cooperative special education program, or by participating in a regional services program.
     (5) The trustees of a school district shall ensure that assistive technology devices or assistive technology services, or both, are made available to a child with a disability if required as a part of the child's special education services, related services, or supplementary aids.

     History: En. 75-7805 by Sec. 423, Ch. 5, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 123, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 93, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 539, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 75-7805; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 558, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 258, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 249, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 356, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 99(4), Ch. 51, L. 1999.