(a) The parties may agree to mediate the dispute at any time before the 270th day after the board received the notice of claim for breach of contract, or before the expiration of any extension agreed to by the parties in writing.
(b) The parties may mediate the dispute even after the case has been referred to SOAH for a contested case hearing. SOAH may also refer a contested case for mediation pursuant to its own rules and guidelines, whether or not the parties have previously attempted mediation.

Source Note: The provisions of this §380.41 adopted to be effective April 11, 2001, 26 TexReg 2746