§ Â 3137. Hearing panel.

(a) A hearing panelist may not be:

(1) A person who is an employee of a district or agency which is involved in the education or care of the child; or

(2) A person having a personal or professional interest which would conflict with that person’s own objectivity in the hearing.

(b) The Secretary of Education shall maintain a list of the persons who serve as hearing panelists. The list must include a statement of the qualifications of each of those persons.

(c) All hearing panelists shall have successfully completed such training as may be required by the Secretary of Education to ensure the adequate knowledge and competent performance of panelists.

(d) Each panel shall consist of 3 panelists, appointed by the Secretary of Education on a rotating basis, as follows:

(1) One attorney admitted to practice and in good standing with the bar of a state;

(2) One educator knowledgeable in the field of special education and special educational programming;

(3) One lay person with demonstrated interest in the education of children with disabilities included on an approved list compiled by the Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens and submitted to the Secretary of Education.

(e) The Department with approval of the State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations which, consistent with this subchapter, further define hearing procedures and the conduct of hearing panelists which shall include standards of competency, expertise and training for hearing panelists.