Texas House Bill HB3140

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the accommodation of a deaf or hard of hearing student in driver education; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The bill aims to amend the Texas Education Code to include provisions specifically for driver education for deaf or hard of hearing students. It establishes the requirement for driver education schools to modify their course delivery and provide adequate aids to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Furthermore, it introduces a fee structure intended to cover the costs of developing and running the new courses. This financial model aims to ensure sustainability for the program while keeping costs manageable for participants.

Summary

House Bill 3140 focuses on enhancing driver education accessibility for deaf or hard of hearing students by mandating that specific accommodations be made in the curriculum. This bill directs the relevant department to develop a driver education course that is delivered in American Sign Language, making it more accessible to individuals who communicate primarily through visual means. The course is intended for both minors and adults, with additional measures to ensure proper compliance with federal disability standards.

Contention

While the bill provides significant advancements towards inclusion and accessibility in driver education, there may be discussions surrounding the implementation of the required changes and the associated fees. There is potential for contention regarding how these fees will affect students from different financial backgrounds. Furthermore, the bill may initiate debates on the sufficiency of resources allocated to accommodate all necessary modifications and whether all educational institutions can comply with the new rules effectively.