On September 28, 2011 the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) published in the Federal Register (FR Vol. 76, No. 188) a proposed amendment to its regulation regarding parental consent to bill Medicaid under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The proposed amendment would eliminate the requirement for a local education agency (LEA) to obtain parental consent “each time” the LEA seeks to access a student’s public insurance (Medicaid) benefits.  Although parental consent would still be required, the frequency would no longer be dictated under the proposed amendment. OSERS invites public comments on the proposed amendment. Comments may be submitted by mail, hand delivery, or electronically and must be received by OSERS on or before December 12, 2011. For more details in a PCG Education Legal Brief newsletter, visit www.publicconsultinggroup.com/educationlaw and select the article titled as above.