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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 692 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 466
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Carol A. Doherty
_________________
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public
schools.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Carol A. Doherty3rd Bristol1/17/2023Christopher Hendricks11th Bristol2/9/2023James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/9/2023Patrick M. O'ConnorFirst Plymouth and Norfolk2/9/2023Paul McMurtry11th Norfolk2/19/2023Shirley B. Arriaga8th Hampden2/27/2023Sally P. Kerans13th Essex2/27/2023 1 of 1
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 692 FILED ON: 1/17/2023
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 466
By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 466) of
Carol A. Doherty and others relative to the inclusion of American Sign Language in public
schools. Education.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public
schools.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Section 1. Section 2B of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
2Official Edition is hereby amended by, in line 8, striking out the word “may” and in place
3thereof, inserting the word “shall.”
4 Section 2. Section 2B of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020
5Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting, after the word “society” in line 8 the following:-
6“As many children with autism have been able to learn and communicate successfully via sign
7language because it is visually based, unaided, and provides a mode of quick communication.”