Zirkel on Public Schools' Impartial-Hearing Obligations Under Section 504

Just out: Perry A. Zirkel, The Public Schools' Obligation for Impartial Hearings Under Section 504, 22 Widener L.J. 135 (2012).  The abstract:

This article provides an in-depth examination of the legal sources and current practices specific to impartial hearings under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act for students in the K-12 public school context. In contrast to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this broader and overlapping statute and its regulations has received insufficient attention, particularly in terms of its impartial hearing mechanism and in light of its foreseeably increasing utilization. Part II of the article examines the Section 504 statute, regulations, and resolution avenues available under Section 504 other than the impartial hearing route. Part IV canvasses hearing officer decisions and available judicial case law, with special attention to jurisdiction. Part V provides a summary of (a) state laws and (b) state education agency policies and practices specific to the jurisdiction of IDEA impartial hearing officers for Section 504 student issues. The final part proposes a more clear and coherent framework for impartial hearings under Section 504 in relation to those under the IDEA.