Finds that the education of children who are deaf presents unique challenges because deafness is a low-incidence disability and because deafness significantly impacts the child's ability to access communication at home, at school, and in the community.

Finds that over the past fifty years, there have been numerous advances in technology as well as a growing awareness about the importance of delivering services to children in a variety of modalities to support their early and continued access to communication.

Declares an intent to enhance the coordination of regionally delivered services and supports for children who are deaf and hearing impaired and to promote more communication-rich learning environments for these children.

Declares that there is established at Vancouver, Clark county, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss which shall be housed at and include the school and related facilities formerly known as the state school for the deaf. The center shall be under the direction of the director and the board of trustees. The superintendent and board of trustees of the Washington school for the deaf as of the effective date of this act shall be the director and board of trustees of the center.

Provides that the center's primary functions shall be: (1) Managing and supervising the Washington school for the deaf and the applied research center located at the center;

(2) Providing statewide leadership and support for the coordination of regionally delivered education services in the full range of communication modalities, for children who are deaf and hearing impaired; and

(3) Collaborating with public and private partners in the development and operation of an applied research center for the training and professional development of educators serving children who are deaf and hearing impaired.

Repeals RCW 72.40.023.