118 STAT. 2660 PUBLIC LAW 108–446—DEC. 3, 2004 ‘‘(b) PROTECTIONS PROVIDED TO CHILDREN.—The Secretary may not implement, or publish in final form, any regulation prescribed pursuant to this title that— ‘‘(1) violates or contradicts any provision of this title; or ‘‘(2) procedurally or substantively lessens the protections provided to children with disabilities under this title, as embodied in regulations in effect on July 20, 1983 (particularly as such protections related to parental consent to initial evalua tion or initial placement in special education, least restrictive environment, related services, timelines, attendance of evalua tion personnel at individualized education program meetings, or qualifications of personnel), except to the extent that such regulation reflects the clear and unequivocal intent of Congress in legislation. ‘‘(c) PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.—The Secretary shall provide a public comment period of not less than 75 days on any regulation proposed under part B or part C on which an opportunity for public comment is otherwise required by law. ‘‘(d) POLICY LETTERS AND STATEMENTS.—The Secretary may not issue policy letters or other statements (including letters or statements regarding issues of national significance) that— ‘‘(1) violate or contradict any provision of this title; or ‘‘(2) establish a rule that is required for compliance with, and eligibility under, this title without following the require ments of section 553 of title 5, United States Code. ‘‘(e) EXPLANATION AND ASSURANCES.—Any written response by the Secretary under subsection (d) regarding a policy, question, or interpretation under part B shall include an explanation in the written response that— ‘‘(1) such response is provided as informal guidance and is not legally binding; ‘‘(2) when required, such response is issued in compliance with the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code; and ‘‘(3) such response represents the interpretation by the Department of Education of the applicable statutory or regu latory requirements in the context of the specific facts pre sented. ‘‘(f) CORRESPONDENCE FROM DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DESCRIBING INTERPRETATIONS OF THIS TITLE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall, on a quarterly basis, publish in the Federal Register, and widely disseminate to interested entities through various additional forms of commu nication, a list of correspondence from the Department of Edu cation received by individuals during the previous quarter that describes the interpretations of the Department of Education of this title or the regulations implemented pursuant to this title. ‘‘(2) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—For each item of cor respondence published in a list under paragraph (1), the Sec retary shall— ‘‘(A) identify the topic addressed by the correspondence and shall include such other summary information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and ‘‘(B) ensure that all such correspondence is issued, where applicable, in compliance with the requirements of section 553 of title 5, United States Code. Federal Register, publication.
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