MN HF3293

Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must require candidates for K-12 deaf and hard-of-hearing teaching licenses to demonstrate at least level 4 proficiency in American Sign Language as determined by the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview evaluation.

Teachers renewing deaf and hard-of-hearing licenses must complete 30 continuing education clock hours on hearing loss topics, including American Sign Language, American Sign Language linguistics, or deaf culture, and demonstrate at least level 4 proficiency on the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview evaluation in each licensure renewal period.

Changes to relicensure requirements become effective for renewal applications beginning July 1, 2024.

Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board must review whether the oral/aural deaf education license remains appropriate to meet the needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing students and decide whether to discontinue or incorporate it into the deaf and hard-of-hearing license requirements.

Board must report its findings to legislative committees with K-12 education jurisdiction no later than February 1, 2021, and amend or adopt rules consistent with its report no later than July 1, 2022.