IEP Related Services in Maryland
What related services can be included in an IEP in Maryland?
In Maryland, related services are developmental, corrective, and other supportive services required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Maryland's definition under COMAR 13A.05.01.02 and 34 CFR 300.34 includes speech-language pathology, audiology, psychological services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services (including rehabilitation counseling), social work services, school health and nursing services, parent counseling and training, transportation, recreation, assistive technology services, orientation and mobility services, and interpreting services. The IEP must specify the frequency, duration, and location of each related service (COMAR 13A.05.01.09A(7)). Maryland follows federal IDEA standards for related services eligibility and provision. A child's IEP must include all related services necessary for the child to receive FAPE; the test is whether the service is required for the child to benefit from special education. Assistive technology devices and services must be made available if required by the IEP, including for use in the home when the IEP team determines it is necessary (34 CFR 300.105). Maryland LEAs may contract with outside agencies to provide related services if they cannot provide them directly, but the LEA remains responsible for ensuring delivery at no cost to the family (COMAR 13A.05.01.02; 34 CFR 300.103). Medicaid-eligible related services may be billed to Medicaid with parental consent, but this does not relieve the LEA of its obligation to provide FAPE (Md. Code Ann., Ed. § 8-418).
What Maryland Requires
The IEP must specify each related service with its frequency, duration, location, and projected start date (COMAR 13A.05.01.09A(7); 34 CFR 300.320(a)(7)).
Related services include speech-language, audiology, OT, PT, counseling, psychological services, social work, nursing, parent counseling, transportation, recreation, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, and interpreting services (34 CFR 300.34; COMAR 13A.05.01.02).
If the LEA cannot provide a related service directly, it may contract with external agencies at no cost to the family (COMAR 13A.05.01.02; 34 CFR 300.103).
Assistive technology devices and services must be available as needed and may be required for use at home when necessary (34 CFR 300.105).
Medicaid-eligible related services may be billed to Medicaid with parental consent, but this does not reduce the LEA's FAPE obligation (Md. Code Ann., Ed. § 8-418).
Each related service must address identified needs documented in the child's present levels and must support attainment of IEP goals (COMAR 13A.05.01.09A; 34 CFR 300.320(a)(4)).
Key Timelines
Related services must begin on the projected start date documented in the IEP and be in effect at the beginning of each school year (COMAR 13A.05.01.09A(7); 34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Related services must be reviewed at least annually as part of the IEP review (COMAR 13A.05.01.08B).
For transfer students, the receiving LEA must provide comparable services immediately and develop a new IEP within 30 days (COMAR 13A.05.01.09E).