H.R. 188 Summary

• Requests the Superintendent of Education and Director of Health to form a working group assessing whether deaf and severely hard of hearing children choosing aural/oral communication receive proper spoken language training and support.

• Working group must review the transition process from Department of Health (birth to age 3) to Department of Education (age 3+) to prevent children from falling through administrative gaps.

• Working group must examine recruitment and hiring of trained oral speech therapy teachers, including job posting methodology and salary requirements.

• Working group must assess the feasibility of hiring experienced interim oral speech therapy teachers while permanent positions are filled and explore insurance coverage for telehealth oral speech therapy services.

• Working group must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature at least 20 days before the 2015 Regular Session convenes.