Parent
Natural, adoptive, or foster parent
Guardian (but not the State if child ward of the State)
Individual acting in the place of a natural or adoptive parent (grandparent, stepparent, or other relative) with whom child lives, or individual legally responsible for child's welfare
Surrogate parent
Speaker Notes:
Section 602
Parent
This term has been amended from current law to align with the definition in federal regulations. The term means:
"a natural, adoptive or foster parent of a child (unless a foster parent is prohibited by State law from serving as a parent);
a guardian (but not the State is the child is a ward of the State);
an individual acting in the place of a natural or adoptive parent (including a grandparent, stepparent, or other relative) with whom the child lives, or an individual who is legally responsible for the child's welfare; or
an individual assigned to be a surrogate parent except as used in sections 615(b)(2) [assignment of an individual to act as a surrogate parent for a preschool or school age student] or section 639(a)(5)" [assignment of an individual to act as a surrogate parent for an infant or toddler].
The definition in IDEA mirrors the definition currently in federal regulations.