The paper provides, in question and answer format, a summary of P.L. 99-372, the Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986. The law authorizes reimbursement of attorneys' fees to parents who prevail in administrative proceedings or court hearings. Legislation was needed because of a 1984 Supreme Court ruling (Smith v. Robinson) that individuals covered by P.L. 94-142, Education for All Handicapped Children Act, cannot also claim protection under Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or other civil rights statutues. Questions deal with such issues as what fees and expenses can be awarded, conditions under which fees will not be awarded, criteria for determining whether a parent is "substantially justified" in rejecting a settlement offer, limits to the amounts that can be awarded, parent notification, information to be sought in the required General Accounting Office study, and protection of teachers and other educational agency employees against retaliation. (DB)