AK HB39

School districts must provide parents of deaf or hard of hearing children with comprehensive, neutral information about hearing technology (hearing aids, cochlear implants, remote microphone systems), communication methods (listening/spoken language, bilingual approach, cued speech, total communication), and available services and advocacy resources.

Parents have the right to choose their child's communication method, and school districts must provide services using that chosen method through professionals trained in it.

School districts must inform parents of deaf or hard of hearing children about the district's duties and the parents' rights under this law.

The Alaska Department of Education must support one or more statewide programs for deaf students, which may include residential services developed in collaboration with nongovernmental organizations serving the deaf and hard of hearing community.

School districts operating deaf education programs must submit annual plans of operations to the department for approval and fulfill all special education duties under state and federal law, with transportation only required for students residing within the district.