CHAPTER 144
HB 456 - FINAL VERSION
25march99.....0394h
5/18/99 1212s
1999 SESSION
HOUSE BILL 456
AN ACT establishing a committee to study issues relating to the deaf community in New Hampshire.
SPONSORS: Rep. Burnham, Ches 8; Rep. Emerton, Hills 7; Rep. Copenhaver, Graf 10; Rep. Batula, Hills 18; Rep. Keans, Straf 16; Sen. Squires, Dist 12; Sen. D'Allesandro, Dist 20; Sen. Larsen, Dist 15
COMMITTEE: Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
This bill establishes a committee to study a wide range of issues relating to the deaf community in New Hampshire including interpreter standards, methods for better statewide coordination of programs and services for deaf persons, and the quality of education for deaf children in the state.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25march99.....0394h
5/18/99 1212s
99-0351
04/02
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety-Nine
AN ACT establishing a committee to study issues relating to the deaf community in New Hampshire.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
144:1 Committee Established. There is established a committee to study issues relating to the deaf community in New Hampshire and to propose legislative solutions to more completely address the needs of deaf persons in New Hampshire.
144:2 Membership and Compensation.
I. The members of the committee shall be as follows:
(a) Five members of the house of representatives, of whom 2 shall be from the health, human services and elderly affairs committee, 2 shall be from the education committee, and one shall be from the executive departments and administration committee, appointed by the speaker of the house.
(b) Five members of the senate, of whom 2 shall be from the public institutions, health and human services committee, 2 shall be from the education committee, and one shall be from another senate standing committee, appointed by the president of the senate.
II. Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.
144:3 Duties. The committee shall review existing state law relating to the rights of deaf citizens in the state with the intent of proposing new legislation or amendments to existing laws, for introduction in the 2000 legislative session, which will assist or improve the abilities of New Hampshire deaf citizens to lead a more meaningful and productive life. The committee's duties shall include:
I. Studying the advantages and disadvantages of recognizing American sign language as the primary language of the New Hampshire deaf community.
II. The adoption of the deaf children's bill of rights into law in New Hampshire.
III. Exploring the quality of education for New Hampshire's deaf children and options for improvement, including, but not limited to, magnet schools or residential schools for deaf students.
IV. The establishment of a licensure program including licensing standards and qualifications for sign language interpreters.
V. State funding to improve the availability and efficiency of interpreter referral services statewide.
VI. Studying possible revisions to RSA 521-A, relative to interpreters for the deaf.
VII. The development of guidelines for sign language interpreters working in educational settings.
VIII. Issues relating to closed captioning.
IX. Any other issues deemed relevant by the committee.
144:4 Chairperson; Quorum. The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members. The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named house member. The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section. Five members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
144:5 Report. The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, senate president, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 1999.
144:6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
(Approved: June 25, 1999)
(Effective Date: June 25, 1999)