SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6452

BYSenators Rinehart, Bailey and Lee

Providing for the study of American sign language to meet foreign language graduation requirements.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 20, 1988; January 26, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6452 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Kiskaddon, Vice Chairman; Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Gaspard, Lee, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Larry Davis (786-7422)

                  January 27, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

American Sign Language (ASL) is now generally recognized as a separate and complete language with its own unique grammar and syntax.  ASL is the third most used language in the United States other than English.  Allowing American Sign Language to meet foreign language graduation and admissions requirements can contribute to a greater understanding of the social and cultural aspects of deafness and address communication barriers which exist between hearing people and deaf people.

SUMMARY:

For purposes of meeting any state or local school district foreign language requirement for high school graduation, and for purposes of meeting any foreign language requirement for admission to the state's four-year college and universities, American Sign Language shall be considered a foreign language.

The State Board of Education shall consult with the National Association of Teachers of Sign Language in establishing rules pertaining to the qualifications of instructors or interpreters of ASL.  The State Board shall require that the instructor or interpreter be registered with the state or national Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The State Board of Education will consult with the National Association of the Deaf, rather than the National Association of Teachers of Sign Language, in establishing rules pertaining to the qualifications of instructors of American sign language.

References to interpreters of American sign language and the requirement that instructors or interpreters be on the state or national registries of interpreters of the deaf are deleted.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: G. Leon Curtis, State Coordinator for Deaf Services, Department of Social and Health Services; Senator Nita Rinehart, Sponsor