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ASL Exemption added to HB1814
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 and will be reported to the Senate. 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
For more information about legislation/issues contact
MCDHH@mcdhh.mo.gov
This report is being posted by the
Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
April 28, 2006
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