On 2/16/06 Representative Brian Nieves from Washington, Missouri
introduced HB 1814, which would add to the statutes a statement that
“English shall be the language of all official proceedings in the state of
Missouri.”  Upon learning about this bill, MCDHH became concerned
as the language of the bill could be broadly interpreted to mean that
instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) at the Missouri School
for the Deaf would be illegal, and that the use of ASL interpreters in
court proceedings would be illegal, and that instruction in Interpreter
Training Programs at public colleges would be illegal. 

With that in mind, MCDHH testified against the bill at its public hearing
on 3/29/06, and discussed our concerns with Representative Nieves
after the hearing was finished.  Representative Nieves was very
receptive to our concerns and agreed to add language provided by
MCDHH to a House Committee Substitute (HCS) bill.  The substitute
bill read “English shall be the language of all official proceedings in
the state of Missouri.  However, American Sign Language (ASL)
may be used in proceedings that either involve persons who
are deaf and cannot hear a spoken language or are instructional
components of deaf or interpreter education.”

HCS HB 1814 was passed by the House today (4/27/06) and will
be reported to the Senate probably tomorrow.   MCDHH takes no
position with respect to the main content of the bill.  However, we want
all interested persons to know that if the bill passes the Senate it will not
prohibit the use of ASL when needed in official proceedings by deaf
persons and in instructional programs for interpreters and students who
are deaf.  MCDHH extends its gratitude to Representative Nieves for
listening to our concerns and adding the language that we requested.