By instituting mandatory hearing screenings, HB1917 aims to identify potential hearing impairments that could affect a child's learning and development. Schools must conduct these screenings by a set deadline each year, creating a standardized approach across different educational institutions. This uniform requirement is anticipated to facilitate early detection and support for students who may need special educational services, aligning with wider educational and health goals related to childhood development.
Summary
House Bill 1917 mandates hearing screenings for students entering kindergarten or first grade in public, private, or parochial schools beginning with the 2025-26 school year. Each school district is required to inform parents about the screening process and the available options for conducting these screenings. The bill designates that schools can either perform the screenings themselves or contract external providers to conduct them, ensuring that all children are assessed for any hearing issues early in their educational journey.
Contention
While the bill is positioned as a proactive measure to enhance student welfare, there may be concerns regarding the logistics and funding associated with implementing these screenings. Parents who prefer to opt-out of this requirement must be allowed to do so, emphasizing the importance of parental choice in health-related matters. The potential variability in how schools adapt this requirement—such as choosing to outsource screenings versus conducting them internally—could also lead to disparities in access to these vital services.
Requires the department of elementary and secondary education to establish language developmental milestones for children who are deaf or hard of hearing