Posted May 21, 2003
ASL Bills (Final Update)

At the request of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Representative Bryan Stephenson introduced House Bill 297 and Representative Vicki Walker introduced House Bill 310 in late January. Those bills were very similar and would have mandated that American Sign Language (ASL) be treated the same as any "foreign language" for credit granting and receiving purposes and for meeting admission and graduation requirements in Missouri educational institutions. Both of those bills were referred to the House Education Committee. A public hearing was held for those bills on 4/16/03, but neither bill was ever voted on by the committee. After trying unsuccessfully to get an ASL bill passed for the last three years, it is obvious that everyone interested in seeing that happen must get involved in educating their legislators regarding this matter if we are to see any progress with this effort.

For more information about legislation/issues,
contact MCDHH@mcdhh.state.mo.us.

This report is being posted by the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
05-20-03