Legislature(2023 - 2024)DAVIS 106
04/28/2023 08:00 AM House EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB111 | |
| Presentation(s): Alaska's Education Funding | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| += | HB 105 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 106 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 111 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
HB 111-EDUCATION FOR DEAF & HEARING IMPAIRED
8:02:12 AM
CO-CHAIR ALLARD announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 111, "An Act relating to public school
students who are deaf or have a hearing impairment." [Before
the committee, adopted as the work draft on 4/24/23, was the
proposed committee substitute (CS) for HB 111, Version 33-
LS0504\S, Marx, 4/22/23, ("Version S").]
8:02:40 AM
LINDSEY CAUSER, Staff, Representative Jamie Allard, on behalf of
Representative Allard, prime sponsor, paraphrased from the
summary of changes for HB 111, Version S, which read as follows
[original punctuation provided]:
Section 1 was not in version A
This section allows parents to determine the child's
chosen method of communication, requires school
district to provide information regarding the tools
and resources available to the child, inform the
parents of their rights and the school districts
duties and provide services for their chosen method of
communication. It also includes key term definition.
Section 1 of version A is now Section 2 of version S:
This section will codify the existence of a
centralized school of the deaf, moving it from Admin
Code to Statue.
Section 2 of version A has now been deleted.
MS. CAUSER stated that the term "least restrictive environment"
is no longer in Version S. She continued that Legislative Legal
Services had been referred to on the differences between
"administrative code" and "statute," and it was explained that
an item in administrative code could be changed at any time by
the department, while statute would provide more security. She
continued that by putting the proposed legislation in statute it
would give the deaf community more security.
8:05:09 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned why "least restrictive
environment" was removed from Version S.
MS. CAUSER responded that the initial iteration of the bill had
caused concern that deaf and hard of hearing students would be
forced to go to school in Anchorage, while Version S would allow
more clarity concerning parental rights.
8:06:24 AM
The committee took an at-ease from 8:06 a.m. to 8:15 a.m.
8:16:03 AM
REPRESENTATIVE STORY expressed appreciation for the explanation
that "least restrictive environment" did refer to an education
environment.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned whether there had been a
consideration to add a provision for parental training on the
chosen teaching methods. She stated that parents have related
to her that school districts have not helped them learn sign
language or pay for an interpreter.
MS. CAUSER replied that on page 1, line 5 to line 15 of the
proposed bill, the school districts would be directed to provide
information, including giving directions on different methods of
communication. She then directed attention to page 2 of the
bill, line 3 to line 6, which would also require that districts
provide services. She stated that the intention is standard
information and training would be provided, so parents would
understand the different methods of communication to choose
from.
REPRESENTATIVE STORY questioned whether districts would be
required to provide training to parents on the teaching method.
She expressed the opinion that this is missing from Version S.
CO-CHAIR ALLARD expressed disagreement.
8:19:50 AM
REPRESENTATIVE RUFFRIDGE moved to report CSHB 111, Version 33-
LS0504\S, Marx, 4/22/23, out of committee with individual
recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being
no objections, CSHB 111(EDC) was reported out of the House
Education Standing Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Education Funding.pptx |
HEDC 4/28/2023 8:00:00 AM |
Alaska Education Funding |
| HB111 Summary of Changes.pdf |
HEDC 4/28/2023 8:00:00 AM |
HB 111 |