AlaskaSchools would explain choices and support programs for deaf students
Parents of deaf or hard-of-hearing students would choose their child’s communication method, while the state education department would support programs for deaf students.
What it does
School districts would give parents neutral information about hearing technology, communication choices, and support services. Parents would choose their child’s communication method, and districts would provide services through professionals experienced in it.
The state education department would support programs for deaf students. A district running one would need approval for its yearly plan and would have to provide transportation only to students who live in its district.
Argument forParents could learn about different communication choices and select the method they believe best fits their child, with services from professionals experienced in that method.
Argument againstStudents who live outside a district running a deaf education program might have a harder time attending because that district only has to provide transportation to its own residents.
More detail
School districts would give parents information, let them choose a communication method for their child, and provide services through professionals experienced in that method. The duties would apply to parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, or whom the district suspects may be. Districts would carry out these duties with the state education department and to the maximum extent possible. The duties would cover a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, or whom the district suspects may be; districts would also inform parents of these duties and their related rights.
The state education department would support one or more programs for deaf students. The programs would be available to deaf students in Alaska. A program could include residential services, in consultation and collaboration with a nongovernmental organization serving deaf and hard-of-hearing people. A district running a program would need department approval for its annual operating plan and would carry out special education duties. It would have to provide transportation only to students who live in that district. If a district places a child who lives in the district in a program, that district would keep its special education responsibilities for the child. A district running a program would submit its operating plan to the department each year.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 3(H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) OF LAW 9/20/26Latest
- Jul 3(H) LAW W/O GOVERNOR SIGNATURE 6/22 CHAPTER 27 SLA 26Major
- Jun 4(H) MANIFEST ERROR(S)
- Jun 4(H) 2:45 P.M. 6/4/26 Transmitted to GovernorTo Governor
- May 20(S) VERSION: CSHB 39(EDC)
- Vote recorded (S) PASSED Y20 N- #2858. Result: pass.Upper
- May 20(S) RETURN TO (H), TRANSMIT TO GOVERNOR NEXT
- May 20(S) PASSED Y20 N-Major
- May 20(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): MERRICK, OLSON
- May 20(S) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 39(EDC)Minor
- May 19(S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/20 CALMinor
- May 19(S) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 19(S) RULES TO FIRST SUP CALENDAR 5/19/2026
- May 1(S) FN2: ZERO(EED)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)
- May 1(S) NR: OLSON, STEDMAN
- May 1(S) DP: HOFFMAN, KAUFMAN, CRONK, MERRICK, KIEHL
- May 1(S) FIN RPT 5DP 2NR
- Apr 30(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Apr 30(S) Moved CSHB 39(EDC) Out of Committee
- Apr 30(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Apr 28(S) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --
- Apr 28(S) FINANCE at 01:30 PM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Apr 22(S) Minutes (SFIN)
- Apr 22(S) Heard & Held
- Apr 22(S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532
- Apr 22(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): KAUFMAN, KAWASAKI
- Apr 20(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): CRONK
- Mar 20(S) YUNDT, CLAMAN, TILTON, RAUSCHER, STEVENS
- Mar 20(S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): GIESSEL, GRAY-JACKSON, STEDMAN, WIELECHOWSKI, TOBIN, DUNBAR,
- Feb 4(S) FIN
- Feb 4(S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- Feb 2(H) VERSION: CSHB 39(EDC)
- Vote recorded (H) PASSED Y40 #1543. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 2(H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)Passed Senate
- Feb 2(H) COSPONSOR(S): SCHWANKE, VANCE, D.NELSON, MCCABE, MINA, JOSEPHSON
- Feb 2(H) PASSED Y40Passed House
- Feb 2(H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 39(EDC)Minor
- Feb 2(H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UCMinor
- Feb 2(H) FN2: ZERO(EED)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)
- Feb 2(H) BEFORE HOUSE IN SECOND READING
- Feb 2(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 2/2/2026
- 2025
- May 17(H) COSPONSOR(S): GRAY, GALVIN
- May 17(H) RETURNED TO RULES COMMITTEE
- May 17(H) EDC CS ADOPTED UC
- May 17(H) READ THE SECOND TIMEMinor
- May 17(H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2025
- May 9(H) COSPONSOR(S): TOMASZEWSKI, JIMMIE, COSTELLO
- May 7(H) FIN REFERRAL REMOVED
- May 7(H) FN1: ZERO(EED)
- May 7(H) DP: SCHWANKE, UNDERWOOD, EISCHEID, DIBERT, HIMSCHOOT, STORY
- May 7(H) EDC RPT CS(EDC) 6DP
- May 5(H) Minutes (HEDC)
- May 5(H) Moved CSHB 39(EDC) Out of Committee
- May 5(H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106
- Apr 30(H) Minutes (HEDC)
- Apr 30(H) -- Invited & Public Testimony -- -- Invited & Public Testimony --
- Apr 30(H) EDUCATION at 08:00 AM DAVIS 106
- Apr 30(H) COSPONSOR(S): STORY
- Apr 18(H) COSPONSOR(S): EISCHEID
- Mar 21(H) COSPONSOR(S): CARRICK
- Feb 14(H) COSPONSOR(S): RAUSCHER
- Jan 22(H) EDC, FIN
- Jan 22(H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALSMinor
- Jan 22(H) Prefile released 1/17/25Introduced
EducationDisability Rights