Signing is Language Act

Bill: 115-hr-3550
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Introduced: 2017-07-28
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Disability and paralysis

Education programs funding

Elementary and secondary education

Foreign language and bilingual programs
Latest action: action_date: 2017-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-07-28
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Signing is Language Act</strong></p> <p>This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to: (1) include in the definition of "English learner" an individual whose native language is American Sign Language, and (2) count such individuals in the number of English learners in a state for the purpose of determining the amount of federal funds allotted&nbsp;to a state for English language programs.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3550 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 28, 2017 Mr. Larsen of Washington introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to clarify that ASL students are English learners.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Signing is Language Act . 2. American Community Survey Section 3111(c)(3)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6821(c)(3) ) is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: and, which, through consultation with such Department, the Secretary shall ensure includes the English learners described in section 8101(20)(C)(iv) . 3. English learner definition Section 8101(20)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801(20)(C) ) is amended— (1) in clause (ii)(II), by striking or at the end; (2) in clause (iii), by striking and at the end and inserting or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (iv) whose native language is American Sign Language, and who comes from an environment where American Sign Language is dominant; and .