MS SB2498

Amends Mississippi Code Section 37-23-31 to allow state-supported universities with full-time medical teaching programs to contract with private schools or nonprofit institutions to provide services for children with hearing loss and specific language impairment (SLI) and related neuro-developmental disorders.

Parents of children diagnosed with hearing loss or SLI gain the right to choose between services at the Mississippi School for the Deaf or through a university or college affiliated education program.

Requires private schools or nonprofit institutions offering such services to have operated programs meeting State Department of Education standards for at least one year before universities can contract with them.

Effective date is July 1, 2012.