Web Site:

www.mass.gov/dala

Organization Chart

Mission:

The Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) is an independent hearing agency established in 1974 to serve as an independent forum for due process hearings in support of final actions of designated Commonwealth agencies and for appeals of decisions of other agencies. The Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA), a bureau within DALA, provides a broad range of dispute resolution services concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEPs), special education services and procedural protections for students with disabilities. BSEA's dispute resolution services include mediations, hearings, and providing advisory opinions. Within the last five years, the Bureau has also provided facilitators for school districts' IEP meetings.

Governing Laws:

Statutes

MGL C. 7 S. 4H

Departments and Divisions

MGL C. 30A S. 14

State Administrative Procedure - Judicial Review

MGL C. 71B S. 2A

Children With Special Needs

Regulations

603 CMR 28.

Education Laws and Regulations

801 CMR 1

Rules of Adjudicatory Practice and Procedure