ASSEMBLY AGING AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
ASSEMBLY, No. 4986
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MARCH 17, 2025
The Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee reports
favorably Assembly Bill No. 4986.
This bill codifies the early language instruction program for deaf,
hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children in the Division of the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing (division) in the Department of Human Services
known as the “Leveling the Playing Field Early Intervention
Program.” This program is supported by a $550,000 appropriation
under the FY 2025 Appropriations Act.
Under the bill, the early language instruction program is to support
the language acquisition and developmental needs of deaf, hard of
hearing, and deaf-blind children aged five and younger and their
families. All services delivered under this program are to be free of
charge. Eligible children and their families must provide proof of the
child’s hearing loss, age, and State residency to receive services under
the program.
At a minimum, under the program, the division shall match each
eligible child and eligible child’s family with an American Sign
Language Deaf Language Associate to provide the child and family
with instruction and support services up to 25 hours a week. The
division is to make available language instruction services in all
applicable settings where the eligible child participates in daily
activities, including childcare centers, preschool programs, summer
camps, and in the child’s home. Additional services provided under
the program, as appropriate to the needs of an eligible child and the
eligible child’s family, are to include: information and referral
services to other State and non-State resources; case management
services provided by an individual fluent in American Sign Language;
assistance in locating and coordinating a qualified interpreter or real-
time caption provider; resources for obtaining hearing aids and other
equipment to support the needs of the eligible child; and the provision
of sensitivity training to the eligible child’s health care providers,
education or day care providers, or other applicable supports on
awareness of the needs of deaf and hard of hearing children and adults.