Bill > H200

This bill establishes the Deaf Children's Bill of Rights, which comprehensively outlines the rights and supports for deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, and DeafDisabled children in Massachusetts. The bill recognizes these children's equal potential and right to a free, appropriate public education, and mandates early screening, language access services, and individualized educational support. Key provisions include ensuring deaf children receive appropriate hearing and vision assessments by qualified professionals fluent in American Sign Language (ASL), providing language access services from early childhood through age 22, and guaranteeing parents' full participation in educational planning. The bill requires educational institutions to offer placement options tailored to each child's individual needs, provide support services by qualified professionals, and ensure direct instruction or qualified interpreters. Additionally, the bill mandates access to Deaf adult role models, opportunities to interact with Deaf peers, full participation in school activities, mental health services in ASL, and tracking of each deaf child's development. The commission for the deaf and hard of hearing will be responsible for monitoring each child's progress, and educational institutions found in violation of these provisions may be subject to state intervention. The overall goal is to support comprehensive language acquisition, cultural understanding, and educational success for deaf children.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H200