House Bill 924

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3, CHAPTER 507, LAWS OF 2009, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE TO STUDY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ORAL/AUDITORY PROGRAMS IN TEACHING SPOKEN LANGUAGE TO THE DEAF; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 3, Chapter 507, Laws of 2009, is amended as follows:

Section 3. The House and Senate Education Chairmen shall appoint three (3) members of their respective committees to form a joint subcommittee to study the following:

(a) The effectiveness of Oral/Auditory programs in teaching spoken language to the deaf so that they may compete and succeed with their hearing peers. The joint subcommittee may hear testimony from experts as well as compile data, study and report on the following:

(i) Review the funding structure by which the state currently operates in funding deaf education;

(ii) Conduct a study of the possibility of success in teaching spoken language before kindergarten if early intervention is properly funded;

(iii) Determine all deaf education program requirements relating to facilities, nutrition services and transportation;

(iv) Prepare a compilation and review of all deaf education services currently provided in Mississippi;

(v) Study any other issues relating to deaf education programs determined to be relevant by the task force;

(vi) Tour each deaf education program offered in the state; and

(vii) Make appropriate findings and recommendations addressing the matters enumerated in this paragraph, including any legislative action that is considered necessary by the joint subcommittee.

(b) In addition, the joint subcommittee may hear testimony from experts as well as compile data, study and report on the following matters: resources and programs that currently support students that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, the feasibility of implementing Autism Spectrum Disorder classrooms in public school districts throughout the state, and the feasibility of implementing transition services to teenagers and adults that have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.