HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2228

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the hearing disabled.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


SECTION 1.  (a)  The department of health shall conduct a three-year pilot program on Hawaii island to assist preschool-aged children with cochlear implants to acquire spoken language skills.

(b)  The pilot program shall:

     (1)  Make use of existing services and programs for the identification of children who are hearing disabled, including the statewide newborn hearing screening program under part XXIX of chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Provide the space, staff, training, equipment, and materials necessary to successfully assist preschool-aged children with cochlear implants to acquire spoken language skills;

     (3)  Develop appropriate learning opportunities for preschool-aged children with cochlear implants;

     (4)  Provide information about existing services and options and appropriate support for the families of preschool-aged children with cochlear implants;

     (5)  Include child assessment service models consistent with federal early childhood intervention and special education law for audiological and language assessments; and

     (6)  Be consistent with federal mandates relating to spoken language acquisition service delivery to preschool-aged children with cochlear implants.

     (c)  The department of health shall submit a progress report, including information on participation and success rates, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.  The department of health shall submit a final report, including findings, recommendations, and suggested legislation, if any, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the development and implementation of a pilot program on Hawaii island to assist preschool-aged children with cochlear implants to acquire spoken language skills.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Preschool-Aged Children; Cochlear Implants; Spoken Language Skills

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Health to conduct a three-year pilot program on Hawaii Island to assist preschool-aged children with cochlear implants to acquire spoken language skills.  Effective July 1, 2014.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.