(1) A student who has not been determined to be eligible for special education and related services under this chapter and who has engaged in behavior that violated a code of student conduct, may assert any of the protections provided for in this chapter if the school district had knowledge as determined in accordance with subsection (2) of this section that the student was a student eligible for special education services before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred.

(2) Basis of knowledge. A school district must be deemed to have knowledge that a student is eligible for special education services if before the behavior that precipitated the disciplinary action occurred:

(a) The parent of the student expressed concern in writing to supervisory or administrative personnel of the appropriate educational agency, or a teacher of the student, that the student is in need of special education and related services;

(b) The parent of the student requested an evaluation of the student pursuant to WAC 392-172A-03005; or

(c) The teacher of the student, or other personnel of the school district, expressed specific concerns about a pattern of behavior demonstrated by the student directly to the director of special education or to other supervisory personnel of the school district.

(3) A school district would not be deemed to have knowledge under subsection (2) of this section if:

(a) The parent of the student:

(i) Has not allowed an evaluation of the student pursuant to WAC 392-172A-03000 through 392-172A-03080; or

(ii) Has refused services under this chapter; or

(b) The student has been evaluated in accordance with WAC 392-172A-03005 through 392-172A-03080 and determined to not be eligible for special education and related services under this part.

(4)(a) If a school district does not have knowledge that a student is eligible for special education services prior to taking disciplinary measures against the student, the student may be disciplined using the same disciplinary measures applied to students without disabilities who engage in comparable behaviors consistent with (b) of this subsection.

(b)(i) If a request is made for an evaluation of a student during the time period in which the student is subjected to disciplinary measures under WAC 392-172A-05145, 392-172A-05148, or 392-172A-05149 the evaluation must be conducted in an expedited manner.

(ii) Until the evaluation is completed, the student remains in the educational placement determined by school authorities, which can include suspension or expulsion.

(iii) If the student is determined to be eligible for special education services, taking into consideration information from the evaluation conducted by the school district and information provided by the parents, the agency must provide special education and related services in accordance with this chapter and follow the discipline requirements, including the provision of a free appropriate public education for students suspended or expelled from school.