TN HB1957

Creates the Tennessee Council for Research of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Children, a 17-member body attached to the Department of Health for administrative purposes

Council members appointed by the governor (5), speaker of the senate (6), and speaker of the house (6), with required representation from individuals who are deaf/deaf-blind/hard of hearing, parents, and professionals in early intervention, K-12 education, linguistics, audiology, and family advocacy

Council must identify the number, demographics, and geographic distribution of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing children from birth to age 10 in Tennessee

Council tasked with recommending assessment tools, qualification standards for assessors, language development criteria, data tracking systems, and a parent resource guide for families of children with hearing differences

Members must be appointed by August 31, 2026; first meeting held by September 15, 2026; final report due to the governor and legislature by July 1, 2029, after which the council terminates