Bill > A5055

Introduced Session

This bill creates the "Students with Communication Disabilities' Bill of Rights," which requires school districts to recognize the rights of students with communication disabilities. Title II of the "Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990" requires schools to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication for students who have a communication disability, which may include hearing, vision, or speech impairments. These aids and services are required to be tailored to the specific nature, length, complexity, and context of the communication, taking into account the student's preferred communication methods. For many students with communication disabilities, an assistant trained in a student's primary and preferred method of communication is vital for assistance in using alternative means of communication such as gestures; augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, communication boards, speech-generating devices, symbol cards, bands, or devices; letter boards; American Sign Language; and typing or pointing to letters to communicate. Denial of a student's primary and preferred method of communication inhibits a student's access to a free and appropriate education a student's opportunity to fully participate in the State's public schools. Specifically, this bill requires school districts to provide students with communication disabilities or the students' parent or guardians with:· access to appropriate screening and assessment of communication and language needs at the earliest possible age and the continuation of screening and evaluation services throughout the educational experience; · individualized and appropriate early intervention to support effective communication at the earliest possible age;· direct instruction;· a trained assistant in the student's primary and preferred method of communication;· individual considerations for free, appropriate education across a continuum of options required by State and federal law;· a communication plan focusing on the student's primary and preferred method of communication in the student's Individualized Education Program and 504 plan;· full support services provided by trained assistants in their educational settings using the student's primary and preferred method of communication. The Department of Education through the coordinator for educational programs is to work with school districts to ensure technical assistance is available to support boards of education in meeting the needs of students with communication disabilities;· full access to all programs in their educational settings, including extracurricular activities, recess, lunch, media showings, driver education, and public announcements; and · information from trained assistants on the linguistic issues of individuals with communication disabilities. The bill should not be construed to give any greater rights or protections than found under State or federal law.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Dawn Fantasia (R)*,  Michael Inganamort (R),  Michele Matsikoudis (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee (on 12/09/2024)

Official Document