SB 5793 - DIGEST

     Directs the office of deaf and hard of hearing services, in conjunction with the office of the superintendent of public instruction, the state board of education, and the educational service districts to conduct a study and report to the legislature by January 1, 1999, on the unmet needs of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing students in public K-12 schools.

     Requires the state board of education, in conjunction with the office of deaf and hard of hearing services, to establish competencies for educational interpreters for deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing students.  After September 1, 1999, only qualified educational interpreters that demonstrate the competencies may be used as educational interpreters for students in public schools.

     Makes appropriations to carry out the purposes of the act.