Alaska Senate passes bill for deaf and hard of hearing students

The Alaska Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday aimed at strengthening support for public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Committee Substitute for House Bill 39 passed 20-0 and was returned to the House for transmission to the governor, according to the official legislative bill record.

Sen. Elvi Gray-Jackson carried the bill on the Senate floor, saying it is meant to help schools identify students' needs early, provide appropriate resources and give parents a stronger voice in their child's education.

"At its core, this bill is about making sure deaf and hard of hearing students in Alaska are not left behind," Gray-Jackson said during floor debate.

Sen. Löki Tobin also spoke in support, citing her experience learning American Sign Language and working with a deaf colleague in Anchorage. Tobin said advocates, families, educators and Alaska's deaf and hard of hearing community helped shape the bill.

Both House and Senate fiscal notes for the legislation list zero dollars in appropriation requests. School districts will be responsible for meeting the bill's requirements without additional state funding.

The measure passed without opposition.