AK HB258

Establishes the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing within the Department of Administration to coordinate services and provide advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Alaska.

Commission consists of seven governor-appointed members: four who are deaf or hard of hearing, one parent of a deaf or hard of hearing person, one representative from a private or municipal organization serving this population, and one state agency employee providing related services.

Commission duties include serving as an information clearinghouse, expanding telecommunications equipment access, promoting accessibility law compliance, providing educational programs and outreach, evaluating state programs, making funding recommendations to the legislature, and establishing interpreter standards through regulation.

Commission may adopt regulations, employ an executive director, obtain equipment and services, apply for grants or donations, and work with educational institutions to support interpreter education programs.

Legislature intends for the commission to obtain non-general fund sources within five years of establishment to support operations without reducing existing state funding for services to deaf and hard of hearing persons.