HB 1879-S - DIGEST
(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Establishes the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss to provide statewide leadership for the coordination and delivery of educational services to children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Abolishes the state school for the deaf and transfers its powers, duties, and functions to the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss.

Requires the director of the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss to convene an advisory panel for the purpose of implementing in two educational service districts a structured program for delivering education services to children who are deaf and hearing impaired. The panel shall jointly select and consult with two educational service districts as the demonstration sites, one of which shall be in eastern Washington. The advisory panel expires January 1, 2010.