CA AB2541

Requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to allocate funding to school districts for contracting with California Schools for the Deaf or nonprofit organizations to provide services to children from birth to 5 years of age who are deaf and hard of hearing.

Mandates that funding for deaf and hard of hearing children be allocated to settings offering American Sign Language and/or English instruction.

Specifies that funding support early intensive language services and specialized services including deaf/hard of hearing mentoring, language and speech services, interpreting services, and audiological services for children developing proficiency in American Sign Language and/or English.

Establishes that funded services must be provided in inclusive settings and supplement existing special education resources required under federal and state law.

Adds legislative findings that deaf and hard of hearing pupils need access to language development in both or one of American Sign Language and English from birth through age five to be prepared for kindergarten.