(a) The due process hearing procedures prescribed by this chapter extend to the parent or guardian, as defined in Section 56028, a pupil who has been emancipated, and a pupil who is a ward or dependent of the court or for whom no parent or guardian can be identified or located when the hearing officer determines that either the local educational agency has failed to appoint a surrogate parent as required by Section 7579.5 of the Government Code or the surrogate parent appointed by the local educational agency does not meet the criteria set forth in subdivision (f) of Section 7579.5 of the Government Code, and the public agency involved in any decisions regarding a pupil. The appointment of a surrogate parent after a hearing has been requested by the pupil shall not be cause for dismissal of the hearing request. The parent or guardian and the public agency involved may initiate the due process hearing procedures prescribed by this chapter under any of the following circumstances:

(1) There is a proposal to initiate or change the identification, assessment, or educational placement of the child or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the child.

(2) There is a refusal to initiate or change the identification, assessment, or educational placement of the child or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the child.

(3) The parent or guardian refuses to consent to an assessment of the child.

(4) There is a disagreement between a parent or guardian and a local educational agency regarding the availability of a program appropriate for the child, including the question of financial responsibility, as specified in Section 300.148 of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(b) The due process hearing rights prescribed by this chapter include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1) The right to a mediation conference pursuant to Section 56500.3.

(2) The right to request a mediation conference at any point during the hearing process. The mediation process is not to be used to deny or delay a parent’s or guardian’s right to a due process hearing, or to deny any other rights afforded under this part, or under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.). Notwithstanding subdivision (a) of Section 56500.3, attorneys and advocates are permitted to participate in mediation conferences scheduled after the filing of a request for due process hearing.

(3) The right to examine pupil records pursuant to Section 56504. This provision shall not be construed to abrogate the rights prescribed by Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 49060) of Part 27.

(4) The right to a fair and impartial administrative hearing at the state level, before a person knowledgeable in the laws governing special education and administrative hearings, under contract with the department, pursuant to Section 56505.

(c) In addition to the rights prescribed by subdivision (b), the parent or guardian has the following rights:

(1) The right to have the pupil who is the subject of the state hearing present at the hearing.

(2) The right to open the state hearing to the public.

(Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 56, Sec. 83. Effective January 1, 2008.)