§ 2544. Screening and evaluations. 1. Each child thought to be an eligible child is entitled to a multidisciplinary evaluation, and the early intervention official shall ensure such evaluation, with parental consent. 2. (a) The parent may select an evaluator from the list of approved evaluators as described in section twenty-five hundred forty-two of this title to conduct the evaluation. The parent or evaluator shall immediately notify the early intervention official of such selection. The evaluator may begin the evaluation no sooner than four working days after such notification, unless otherwise approved by the initial service coordinator.(b) the evaluator shall designate an individual as the principal contact for the multidisciplinary team.
(c) If, in consultation with the evaluator, the service coordinator identifies a child that is potentially eligible for programs or services offered by or under the auspices of the office for people with developmental disabilities, the service coordinator shall, with parent consent, notify the office for people with developmental disabilities' regional developmental disabilities services office of the potential eligibility of such child for said programs or services. 3. (a) To determine eligibility, an evaluator shall, with parental consent, either (i) screen a child to determine what type of evaluation, if any, is warranted, or (ii) provide a multidisciplinary evaluation. In making the determination whether to provide an evaluation, the evaluator may rely on a recommendation from a physician or other qualified person as designated by the commissioner.
(b) If, based upon the screening, a child is believed to be eligible, or if otherwise elected by the parent, the child shall, with the consent of a parent, receive a multidisciplinary evaluation. All evaluations shall be conducted in accordance with the coordinated standards and procedures and with regulations promulgated by the commissioner. 4. The evaluation of each child shall:
(a) be conducted by personnel trained to utilize appropriate methods and procedures;
(b) be based on informed clinical opinion;
(c) be made without regard to the availability of services in the municipality or who might provide such services; and
(d) with parental consent, include the following:
(i) a review of pertinent records related to the child's current health status and medical history;
(ii) an evaluation of the child's level of functioning in each of the developmental areas set forth in paragraph (c) of subdivision seven of section twenty-five hundred forty-one of this title;
(iii) an assessment of the unique needs of the child in terms of each of the developmental areas set forth in paragraph (c) of subdivision seven of section twenty-five hundred forty-one of this title, including the identification of services appropriate to meet those needs;
(iv) an evaluation of the transportation needs of the child, if any; and
(v) such other matters as the commissioner may prescribe in regulation. 5. An evaluation shall not include a reference to any specific provider of early intervention services. 6. Nothing in this section shall restrict an evaluator from utilizing, in addition to findings from his or her personal examination, other examinations, evaluations or assessments conducted for such child, including those conducted prior to the evaluation under this section, if such examinations, evaluations or assessments are consistent with the coordinated standards and procedures. 7. Following completion of the evaluation, the evaluator shall provide the parent and service coordinator with a copy of a summary of the full evaluation. To the extent practicable, the summary shall be provided in the native language of the parent. Upon request of the parent, early intervention official or service coordinator, the evaluator shall provide a copy of the full evaluation to such parent, early intervention official or service coordinator. 8. A parent who disagrees with the results of an evaluation may obtain an additional evaluation or partial evaluation at public expense to the extent authorized by federal law or regulation. 9. Upon receipt of the results of an evaluation, a service coordinator may, with parental consent, require additional diagnostic information regarding the condition of the child, provided, however, that such evaluation or assessment is not unnecessarily duplicative or invasive to the child, and provided further, that:
(a) where the evaluation has established the child's eligibility, such additional diagnostic information shall be used solely to provide additional information to the parent and service coordinator regarding the child's need for services and cannot be a basis for refuting eligibility;
(b) the service coordinator provides the parent with a written explanation of the basis for requiring additional diagnostic information;
(c) the additional diagnostic procedures are at no expense to the parent; and
(d) the evaluation is completed and a meeting to develop an IFSP is held within the time prescribed in subdivision one of section twenty-five hundred forty-five of this title. 10. (a) If the screening indicates that the infant or toddler is not an eligible child and the parent elects not to have an evaluation, or if the evaluation indicates that the infant or toddler is not an eligible child, the service coordinator shall inform the parent of other programs or services that may benefit such child, and the child's family and, with parental consent, refer such child to such programs or services.
(b) A parent may appeal a determination that a child is ineligible pursuant to the provisions of section twenty-five hundred forty-nine of this title, provided, however, that a parent may not initiate such appeal until all evaluations are completed. 11. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, where a request has been made to review an IFSP prior to the six-month interval provided in subdivision seven of section twenty-five hundred forty-five of this title for purposes of increasing frequency or duration of an approved service, including service coordination, the early intervention official may require an additional evaluation or partial evaluation at public expense by an approved evaluator other than the current provider of service, with parent consent.
