Bill > SB663

This bill requires the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop a model curriculum and guidelines for deaf and hard of hearing education by the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, in consultation with the Department of Health and an organization specializing in hearing impairment. The curriculum must be age-appropriate, posted online, regularly updated, and made available to all schools. It will cover topics such as hearing loss types, causes, prevalence, noise-related hearing damage, assistive devices, stigmas, and prevention techniques. School entities can either adopt this model curriculum or develop their own aligned curriculum, with instruction potentially provided by teachers, instructors, or community volunteers under professional educator supervision. Cyber charter schools can deliver the instruction electronically and may be exempt from in-person instructional requirements. The bill defines key terms like "department" and "school entity" and ensures that any instructional resources comply with existing child protection regulations. The legislation will take effect 60 days after its passage, aiming to improve educational awareness and understanding of hearing impairment among students.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=663