Subdivision 1. Child with a disability. "Child with a disability" means a child identified under federal and state special education law as deaf or hard-of-hearing, blind or visually impaired, deafblind, or having a speech or language impairment, a physical impairment, other health disability, developmental cognitive disability, an emotional or behavioral disorder, specific learning disability, autism spectrum disorder, traumatic brain injury, or severe multiple impairments, and who needs special education and related services, as determined by the rules of the commissioner. A licensed physician, an advanced practice nurse, or a licensed psychologist is qualified to make a diagnosis and determination of attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder for purposes of identifying a child with a disability.

Subd. 1a. Children ages three through seven experiencing developmental delays. In addition, every child under age three, and at local district discretion from age three to age seven, who needs special instruction and services, as determined by the rules of the commissioner, because the child has a substantial delay or has an identifiable physical or mental condition known to hinder normal development is a child with a disability.

Subd. 2. Not a child with a disability. A child with a short-term or temporary physical or emotional illness or disability, as determined by the rules of the commissioner, is not a child with a disability.

History: Ex1959 c 71 art 1 s 3; 1969 c 981 s 1; 1975 c 432 s 7; 1981 c 358 art 3 s 1; 1Sp1985 c 12 art 3 s 1; 1987 c 398 art 3 s 1; 1991 c 265 art 3 s 38; 1998 c 397 art 2 s 164; 1998 c 398 art 2 s 1; art 5 s 55; 2005 c 56 s 1; 2006 c 263 art 2 s 18; 2008 c 326 art 1 s 1; 2009 c 96 art 3 s 5; 1Sp2011 c 11 art 3 s 1