GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 199 2018 Regular Session Smith
EXCEPTIONAL PERSONS: Creates Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf
Kids (LEAD-K) Task Force to develop framework for assessing children who are deaf
or hard of hearing to determine language skills and ensure kindergarten readiness
DIGEST
Proposed law creates the Language Equality and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) Task
Force to (a) develop a resource for parents to monitor and track deaf or hard of hearing
children's expressive and receptive language acquisition, using American Sign Language,
English, or both languages, and developmental stages toward English literacy and (b)
develop a framework for assessing children who are deaf or hard of hearing to determine
their competencies in language and literacy skills for the purpose of ensuring they are able
to achieve kindergarten readiness in an equitable manner. Requires impartiality with regard
to the language and modalities used to teach such children. Provides that for proposed law
purposes, "English" shall include spoken English, written English, and English with the use
of visual supplements, including but not limited to Cued Speech and Signing Exact English.
Provides for 23 members as follows:
(1)14 members appointed jointly by the state superintendent of education and the
secretary of the La. Dept. of Health (LDH), who shall seek input on the appointments
from offices and organizations that serve the deaf community. Provides that when
making these appointments, preference shall be given, if applicable, to persons with
deaf education certification or with early childhood education certification and
experience working with children with hearing loss. These members shall be as
follows:
(a)One parent whose child is deaf or hard of hearing and proficient in American
Sign Language (ASL) and English.
(b)One parent whose child is deaf or hard of hearing and uses only spoken
English.
(c)One teacher of children who are deaf or hard of hearing whose expertise is
in curriculum and instruction in ASL and English.
(d)One teacher of children who are deaf or hard of hearing whose expertise is
in curriculum and instruction in English.
(e)One early intervention specialist who works with deaf and hard of hearing
infants and toddlers using ASL and spoken English.
(f)One administrator of an early intervention program for children who are deaf
or hard of hearing.
(g)One administrator of a school-age program for children who are deaf or hard
of hearing.
(h)One speech pathologist with experience working with children who are deaf
or hard of hearing on the development of spoken English, with or without the
use of visual supplements.
(i)One school psychologist with experience working with students who are deaf
or hard of hearing and with knowledge in conducting and interpreting
cognitive assessments for such students.
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Prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett. (j)Two representatives of an association that advocates to enhance the quality
of life for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
(k)One adult who is deaf or hard of hearing and is proficient in ASL and
English.
(l)One adult who is deaf or hard of hearing who uses spoken English, without
visual supplements.
(m)A licensed or certified mental health professional who works with children
who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.
(2)One member of La. House of Representatives appointed by the speaker.
(3)One member of La. Senate appointed by the president.
(4)One representative of La. Dept. of Health appointed by the department secretary.
(5)Director of La. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program or his designee.
(6)Executive director of La. Commission for the Deaf or his designee.
(7)State superintendent of education or his designee.
(8)Executive director of governor's office of disability affairs or his designee.
(9) Outreach coordinator for the Parent Pupil Education Program at La. School for the
Deaf.
(10)One representative appointed by the National Cued Speech Association.
Proposed law provides relative to membership and meetings:
(1)A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(2)Members shall elect a chairman and serve without compensation.
(3)The state Dept. of Education and the La. Dept. of Health shall provide staff support
and shall jointly call the first meeting.
(4)The task force shall hold its initial meeting no later than Aug. 1, 2018, and shall be
domiciled in Baton Rouge but may hold public meetings elsewhere in the state.
Proposed law provides that the task force shall study and make recommendations relative to
matters that shall include, but need not be limited to, developing a framework for assessing
children who are deaf or hard of hearing and selecting language developmental milestones
from existing standardized norms. Requires the task force to do all of the following:
(1)Review and make recommendations relative to existing tools or assessments for
educators to use to assess the language and literacy development of such children.
(2)Determine how often such tools or assessments should be used for children from
birth to age five.
(3)Identify language development milestones for such children by consulting with
professionals trained in the language development and education of such children.
(4)Identify procedures and methods for reporting language acquisition, assessment
results, milestones, assessment tools used, and progress of such children to parents
and to teachers and other professionals involved in their early intervention and
education.
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Prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett. (5)Make recommendations relative to ensuring that state law and state and local policies
are adequately addressing the language developmental needs of such children.
Proposed law requires the task force to submit a report to the House and Senate education
committees and health and welfare committees not later than Feb. 1, 2019. Requires the state
Dept. of Education and the La. Dept. of Health to submit responses to this report to these
committees not later than March 1, 2019.
Proposed law is effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action
and is repealed on March 1, 2019.
(Adds R.S. 17:1960.1 and R.S. 36:651(G)(6); Repeals R.S. 17:1960.1 and R.S.
36:651(G)(6))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the
original bill:
1. Revise provisions relative to commission membership as follows:
(a)Increase number of commission members from 19 to 22 by adding a
mental health professional, a medical professional, and the executive
director of the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs.
(b)Instead of granting sole appointment authority of a majority of the
commission to the state superintendent of education, provide for joint
appointment by the superintendent and the secretary of the La. Dept. of
Health with input from offices and organizations that serve the deaf
community.
(c)Relative to appointments, add that preference be given, if applicable, to
those holding early childhood or deaf education certification.
2. Instead of requiring that the task force be impartial with regard to language taught
to children who are deaf or hard of hearing, require that it be impartial with
regard to language modalities used to teach them.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Expand purpose of task force to include developing a resource for parents to
monitor and track deaf and hard of hearing children's expressive and receptive
language acquisition and developmental stages toward English literacy.
2. Add that for proposed law purposes, "English" shall include spoken English,
written English, and English with the use of visual supplements, including but
not limited to Cued Speech and Signing Exact English.
3. Relative to membership: retain total membership of 22 but replace medical
professional and audiologist with director of the La. Early Hearing Detection and
Intervention Program and outreach coordinator for the Parent Pupil Education
Program at the La. School for the Deaf; specify that the mental health
professional shall be one who is licensed or certified and works with children
who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families.
4. Add that the state supt. of education and secretary of La. Dept. of Health shall
jointly call the first task force meeting.
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Prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett. 5. Instead of requiring that the task force be impartial with regard to language
modalities used to teach children who are deaf or hard of hearing, requires
impartiality regarding language and modalities used to teach them.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
reengrossed bill
1. Makes technical changes.
2. Adds an additional member to the task force.
3. Clarifies language acquisition includes English, ASL, or both.
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Prepared by Cheryl M. Serrett.