Hello All!
On Thursday, October 18th, 2018 I joined the remarkable community of deaf/Deaf/hard of hearing individuals, advocates, professionals, and families alike in Trenton, New Jersey for political action and testimony towards Bill No. 1893 – to establish revisions to a "Deaf Student's Bill of Rights" (A-1896). The proposed amendment was PASSED (yay yay!!) by the Assembly Education Committee, and will now move onto the Senate vote.
In super-brief summary, the proposal drafts funding and responsibilities to school districts: in allocation of resources and professional services for student who are hard of hearing/deaf/Deaf – with intention of enhancing education access (public schools; k-12 across the state of New Jersey).
NJ LEAD- K and Deaf Child Bill of Rights
New Jersey State Legislature: Assembly Education Committee.
So, what happens next?! – Three Part Journey:
1. Appropriation Committee
2. State Senate vote
3. NJ Governor Phil Murphy
The bill (A-1896) will go to the Appropriation Committee to determine the amount of allocated funding needed for this community/child-student investment, once this proposal is law – So, according to their calendar, the Appropriation Committee will meet either on November 26th or December 3rd – thereafter, the bill 1896 will go before the Senate floor vote on/around December 17th.
~ The proposal needs to be passed by the Senate, in order to be delivered to the desk of New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for his signature into law.
This bill (A-1896) is sponsored by Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt (Chairwoman), and assembly persons Quijano, Muoio, and Benson, with the support of the 11 committee members!
Please invest 3 minutes into watching the above recap of the amazing turnout and advocacy by the community!
~ Posted by NJ Deaf News youtube channel: "NJ LEAD- K and Deaf Child Bill of Rights" (the video description reads "Language Equality & Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K) and Deaf Child's Educational Bill of Rights" <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhu4jtXNFDI>.
For extended enjoyment, there is also a 37min. recording of public testimonies and ASL communicators for this outpouring support!
~ [Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlhfPXo3sZA – "The Deaf Child's Bill of Rights is specific state law that recognizes the unique communication and language needs of deaf and hard of hearing children"]
*This post is not affiliated with any of the aforementioned groups/organizations, and not written on their behalf. Any opinions and summary published here is solely of the author's transcription.
*All names, links, and quoted texts are public domain accessible documentations.
Hearing Stories – Dreaming Lots – Taking Action!
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