Florida Senate - 2010                                    SB 2484
       
       
       
       By Senator Wise
       
       
       
       
       5-01704A-10                                           20102484__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to auditory-oral education programs;
    3         providing that a child who is deaf and enrolled in a
    4         recognized auditory-oral program at a school certified
    5         by a nationally recognized certifying body of
    6         auditory-oral programs or at a private school in which
    7         the supervisor and the majority of staff are certified
    8         as Listening and Spoken Language Specialists may
    9         continue attending such school and complete the
   10         development of listening and spoken language skills if
   11         specified criteria are met; providing that the level
   12         of funding for tuition and costs be determined through
   13         the individual education plan process; providing for
   14         the transfer of the child to a public school or other
   15         appropriate educational institution when the child
   16         reaches the age of 7 or before grade 3, whichever
   17         comes first; providing an effective date.
   18  
   19  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   20  
   21         Section 1. (1) Any child who is deaf and who is enrolled in
   22  a recognized auditory-oral program at a school certified by a
   23  nationally recognized certifying body of auditory-oral programs
   24  to teach children who have obtained a hearing assistive device
   25  or at a private school located in this state in which the
   26  supervisor and the majority of the staff providing direct
   27  services to the children are certified as Listening and Spoken
   28  Language Specialists may continue attending such school and
   29  complete the development of listening and spoken language skills
   30  if the child:
   31         (a) Has received a cochlear implant or assistive hearing
   32  device;
   33         (b) Is between the ages of 2 and 7; and
   34         (c) Is a resident of the state.
   35         (2) The level of funding shall be determined through the
   36  individual education plan process between the local school
   37  district and the child’s parent or guardian. Funding must cover
   38  the costs of tuition and the costs associated with providing an
   39  auditory-oral option. When the child reaches the age of 7 or
   40  before grade 3, whichever comes first, he or she shall be
   41  required to transfer to a public school or other appropriate
   42  educational institution chosen by his or her parent or guardian.
   43         Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.