SEC. 617. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) RESPONSIBILITIES OF SECRETARY- In carrying out this part, the Secretary shall --
(1) cooperate with, and (directly or by grant or contract) furnish technical assistance necessary to, the State in matters relating to --
(A) the education of children with disabilities; and
(B) carrying out this part; and
(2) provide short-term training programs and institutes.
(b) RULES AND REGULATIONS- In carrying out the provisions of this part, the Secretary shall issue regulations under this Act only to the extent that such regulations are necessary to ensure that there is compliance with the specific requirements of this Act.
(c) CONFIDENTIALITY- The Secretary shall take appropriate action, in accordance with the provisions of section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act (20 U.S.C. 1232g), to assure the protection of the confidentiality of any personally identifiable data, information, and records collected or maintained by the Secretary and by State and local educational agencies pursuant to the provisions of this part.
(d) PERSONNEL- The Secretary is authorized to hire qualified personnel necessary to carry out the Secretary's duties under subsection (a) and under sections 618, 661, and 673 (or their predecessor authorities through October 1, 1997) without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, relating to appointments in the competitive service and without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title relating to classification and general schedule pay rates, except that no more than twenty such personnel shall be employed at any time.