Section 511IAC7-42-14. Transportation of students in public or private residential placements

   (a) The school corporation of legal settlement:

(1) is responsible for the cost of transporting students placed in public or private residential facilities by the public agency; and

(2) must pay for the number of round trips as determined appropriate by the CCC in accordance with statutory requirements and this rule.

  (b) The frequency, length, and timing of home visits must be mutually agreed upon by the residential facility, the parent, and the school corporation of legal settlement. Transportation for the student for home visits must be arranged to assure the welfare and safety of the student, including, if necessary, paying the cost for a responsible adult to accompany the student during the travel.

  (c) If a parent travels to the residential facility, that travel may be in lieu of a student home visit. The school corporation of legal settlement must pay the cost for the parent to travel to the residential facility if the CCC determines any of the following is essential to the student's educational, emotional, or behavioral progress:

(1) The nature or severity of the student's disability precludes home visits.

(2) The residential facility provides family counseling and training essential to the student's educational, emotional, or behavioral progress.

(3) The student cannot travel home unaccompanied.

  (d) When a parent travels to the residential facility under subsection (c), the school corporation of legal settlement must reimburse or pay for travel-associated costs, such as meals and lodging, in accordance with the policies established for school employees.

  (e) At the time a residential placement is made, the public agency must do the following:

(1) Establish guidelines and procedures concerning transportation.

(2) Inform the parent of those guidelines and procedures.

  (f) The guidelines and procedures established under subsection (e) must include at least the following information:

(1) The modes of transportation for which payment or reimbursement will be made.

(2) The method by which transportation will be paid.

(3) The length of advance notice required.

(4) The travel-associated costs allowed under public agency policy.

(Indiana State Board of Education; 511 IAC 7-42-14; filed Jul 14, 2008, 1:24 p.m.: 20080813-IR-511080112FRA; readopted filed Nov 6, 2014, 3:23 p.m.: 20141203-IR-511140382RFA)