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 environment. 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 or a state-operated adult health care facility providing special education services to its residents shall provide or establish and maintain a special education program for each child with a disability who is 5 years of age or older and under 19 years of age.

(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 who is 3 years of age or older and under 7 years of age.

(4) (a) The board of trustees of a school district or a state-operated adult health care facility providing special education services to its residents may provide or establish and maintain a special education program for a child with a disability who is 2 years of age or under or who is 19 years of age or older and under 22 years of age.

(b) Programs established pursuant to subsection (4)(a) do not obligate the state, a school district, or a state-operated adult health care facility providing special education services to its residents to offer regular educational programs to a similar age group unless specifically provided by law.

(5) The board of trustees of a school district or a state-operated adult health care facility providing special education services to its residents may meet its obligation to serve persons with disabilities by establishing its own special education program, by establishing a cooperative special education program, by participating in a regional services program, or by contracting for services from qualified providers. A state-operated adult health care facility providing special education services to its residents may also meet its obligation by coordinating appropriate services with the resident's school district of residence, the local high school district, or both.

(6) The trustees of a school district or a state-operated adult health care facility providing special education services to its residents 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.