Public Law 99-457 and the clinical pediatrician. Part 1: A description of the federal act and its predecessor.

Public Law 94-142 is a federal law, enacted in 1975, guaranteeing a free public education and related services for every handicapped child, from 5 to 21 years of age. In 1986, this act was amended by PL 99-457, where the age limit for mandated services was changed to include children 3-5 years of age. Moreover, in a section called Infants and Toddlers, states were given the option to extend these services, here called early intervention services, to children from birth to age 3. This latter section has profound ramifications for the practicing pediatric clinician when the law is implemented. These laws are reviewed with that focus in mind.