An Act ensuring language readiness in deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children entering kindergarten

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brian Ashe

Bill H 511 enhances language readiness for deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children entering kindergarten by providing tailored support and resources for families and educators.

Hearing rescheduled to 11/18/2025 from 01:00 PM-03:25 PM in B-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 511 aims to enhance language readiness for deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children as they prepare to enter kindergarten. The legislation seeks to establish a framework for assessing and supporting the language development of these children, ensuring they have the necessary skills to thrive in an educational environment.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several significant changes to the existing laws regarding language readiness:

Definition of Terms:

Introduces key definitions related to language development, including terms like "Language Developmental Milestones," "Total Communication," and "Language Readiness Services."

Collaboration Among Agencies:

Mandates collaboration between the Commission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to:
- Select language development milestones.
- Develop resources for parents to monitor their children's language acquisition.
- Publish annual reports on language development data.

Parent Resources:

Requires the creation of a parent resource that:
- Outlines language developmental milestones.
- Is available in multiple languages.
- Is user-friendly and aligned with existing educational guidelines.
- Emphasizes the importance of Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs), Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and 504 plans.

Educator Tools:

Establishes guidelines for selecting assessment tools for educators to track language development in deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children.
Ensures these tools are appropriate for the target demographic and can be used to inform IFSPs, IEPs, and 504 plans.

Opt-Out Provision:

Allows parents to opt-out of annual assessments for their children, provided they submit a written notice to the local educational agency.

Affected Parties

Children: The primary beneficiaries are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children aged 0-6, who will receive tailored support to enhance their language skills.

Parents and Guardians: They will gain access to resources and tools to better understand and support their children's language development.

Educators: Teachers and educational staff will receive guidance and tools to effectively assess and support the language readiness of these children.

Procedural Aspects

Introduced: The bill was filed on February 27, 2025, by Representative Brian M. Ashe.

Hearing Scheduled: A hearing is set for November 18, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM in room B-1, where stakeholders can provide input on the bill.

Committee Review: The bill has been referred to the Committee on Education for further consideration.

Conclusion

Bill H 511 represents a significant step toward ensuring that deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children are linguistically prepared for kindergarten. By establishing clear guidelines and resources, the bill aims to foster an inclusive educational environment that recognizes and supports the unique language needs of these children.

Bill