The paper provides, in question and answer format, a summary of P.L. 99-372, the Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986. The law authorizes reimbursement of attorneys' fees to parents who prevail in administrative proceedings or court hearings. Legislation was needed because of a 1984 Supreme Court ruling (Smith v. Robinson) that…

This article reviews case law regarding the recovery of attorney's fees for counsel services prior to holding a special education hearing within the legal parameters of Public Law 99-372, the Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986. Implications suggest that schools should establish mechanisms to avoid costly legal involvements and states…

Provides information on how school districts can reduce their fiscal liability under the Handicapped Child Protection Act (HCPA) of 1986. School officials that present an image of service and cooperation for disabled students are less likely to have a dispute and less likely to have to pay attorneys' fees. (Contains 32 references.) (MLF)

Litigation over the rights of handicapped students and employees continued at a significant level during 1989. Recovery of attorneys' fees was the most frequently litigated handicapped issue. Cases are summarized under the following topics: (1) entitlement to services; (2) procedural safeguards, including change in placement, administrative…

Litigation of handicapped students' and employees' rights continued at a significant level in 1988. Requests for attorneys' fees under the Handicapped Children's Protection Act was the focus of the greatest number of cases. As in 1987, two major issues were raised in these cases: the availability of fees for administrative hearings and the…

Litigation of handicapped students' and employees' rights showed a significant increase in 1987. The increase can be attributed primarily to the filing of a substantial number of cases to obtain attorneys' fees following the enactment of the Handicapped Children's Protective Act in 1986. Two major issues were raised in these cases: the…

Litigation of handicapped students' and employees' rights continued at a significant level in 1990. Much of the litigation concerned the provision of an appropriate special education placement, due process rights, and recovery of attorney fees by prevailing parents under the Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986. Cases are summarized under…