2SHB 1879 -
By Representative Jacks
ADOPTED 03/10/2009
On page 13, line 4, after "impaired" insert "or deaf"
On page 13, line 9, after "about the" insert "deaf or"
Beginning on page 26, line 27, strike all of section 34, and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 34 (1) The board of trustees and the director
of the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss shall implement
a process for gathering information from stakeholders to examine
service availability and gaps and to identify service delivery options,
resources, and policy changes for the implementation and operation of
two demonstration sites for regional programs serving children who are
deaf or hard of hearing. One demonstration site shall be in an
educational service district in eastern Washington. Information may be
gathered through meetings conducted in educational service district
regions and through other appropriate means, including the P-20 network
and internet technologies. Stakeholders from whom information shall be
solicited include, but are not limited to:
(a) The office of the superintendent of public instruction,
including the Washington sensory disabilities services office;
(b) The office of deaf and hard of hearing services in the
department of social and health services;
(c) Educational service district superintendents and school
district superintendents;
(d) Parents of school-age children who are deaf or hard of hearing,
including organizations advocating for the educational interests of all
children who are deaf or hard of hearing without regard to any specific
communication modality;
(e) Students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(f) Adults who are deaf or hard of hearing;
(g) Nongovernmental entities providing educational services in the
following communication modalities: Oral communication, manual
communication, and total communication;
(h) The department of health; and
(i) The department of early learning.
(2) Based on the information gathered from stakeholders, the board
and the director of the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss
shall develop a structure and plan for implementing regional education
programs at two demonstration sites that:
(a) Are established within an educational service district and
managed through shared governance by the school districts;
(b) Collaborate and partner with, enhance, and avoid duplication of
existing and available services and programs, both public and private;
(c) Provide services at one or more central locations in the
education service districts;
(d) Provide services to students in their resident districts,
including students who are deaf or hard of hearing who may not qualify
for special education services;
(e) Include educational and transportation services for children,
consultation for teachers and staff, and outreach to families; and
(f) Support communication-rich learning environments and
instruction of students in the full spectrum of communication
modalities by qualified professionals, including American Sign
Language, auditory oral education, total communication, and signed
exact English.
(3) By December 1, 2010, the board and the director shall brief the
legislature and the governor regarding the progress of implementing and
operating the demonstration sites.
(4) This section expires January 1, 2011."
On page 28, beginning on line 16, strike all of section 36.
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Removes provisions creating an advisory committee and instead directs the board of trustees and the director of the center for childhood deafness and hearing loss to consult with a broad array of stakeholders to develop the structure and plan for implementing the demonstration sites in two educational service districts. Removes the emergency clause that applies to the section creating the advisory committee. Changes the date for reporting back to the Governor and the Legislature from December 31, 2009, to December 1, 2010, and adjusts the expiration date for that section to January 1, 2011. Clarifies that the duty of educational service districts and the superintendent of public instruction includes reporting on students who are deaf as well as those who are hard of hearing. Makes technical corrections.