EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.

1-2 disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education; and

1-3 Whereas, Providing a free appropriate public education to children

1-4 who are deaf or hard of hearing is an essential element of fulfilling this

1-5 state’s important goal of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation,

1-6 independent living and economic self-sufficiency for persons who are deaf

1-7 or hard of hearing; and

1-8 Whereas, Children who are deaf or hard of hearing require highly

1-9 specialized services, equipment and materials; and

1-10 Whereas, It is essential that children who are deaf or hard of hearing

1-11 receive an education that is tailored to their unique needs in a learning

1-12 environment that allows the children to develop to their fullest academic

1-13 capacity; and

1-14 Whereas, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires the

1-15 development, review and revision of an individualized education program

2-1 for each child with a disability that sets forth the educational program for

2-2 the child and specifically addresses the unique needs of the child for the

2-3 child to succeed fully in school; now, therefore, be it

2-4 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-5 Concurring, That the Legislature urges the State Board of Education, the

2-6 boards of trustees of school districts, school administrators and educational

2-7 personnel to consider the unique needs of children who are deaf or hard of

2-8 hearing; and be it further

2-9 Resolved, That the Legislature urges the State Board of Education, the

2-10 boards of trustees of school districts and all personnel responsible for the

2-11 development of an individualized educational program for a child who is

2-12 deaf or hard of hearing to ensure that:

2-13 1. The individualized educational program for the child takes into

2-14 account the unique needs of the child and sets forth the least restrictive

2-15 environment for the child in the school setting;

2-16 2. The parents and, if appropriate, persons who are deaf or hard of

2-17 hearing assist in determining the appropriate educational program for the

2-18 child;

2-19 3. The child receives instruction and other services in the child’s

2-20 primary mode of communication and other modes of communication, if

2-21 appropriate;

2-22 4. The child is not denied the opportunity for instruction in a particular

2-23 mode of communication solely because the child has the ability to hear

2-24 some sounds, the child’s parents are not fluent in the particular mode of

2-25 communication or the child has previous experience with another mode of

2-26 communication;

2-27 5. The child receives instruction and other services from teachers and

2-28 other personnel who are proficient in communicating with the child in the

2-29 mode of communication that the child understands, including, without

2-30 limitation, American Sign Language, English-based manual or sign

2-31 systems, or oral-, aural- or speech-based training;

2-32 6. The child has the opportunity to communicate directly with a

2-33 sufficient number of his peers who are of the same age and ability as the

2-34 child;

2-35 7. The child is exposed to adult role models who are deaf or hard of

2-36 hearing; and

2-37 8. The child has an opportunity for participation, to the maximum

2-38 extent possible, in all facets of school life, including, without limitation,

2-39 recess, lunch, social events, athletic activities and extracurricular activities

2-40 offered by the school; and be it further

2-41 Resolved, That the Legislature urges the boards of trustees of school

2-42 districts and the personnel responsible for the development of an

2-43 individualized educational program for a child who is deaf or hard of

3-1 hearing to ensure that the parents of the child are fully informed, at the time

3-2 that the child’s individualized educational program is developed, reviewed

3-3 or revised, of the educational options provided by the school district and

3-4 available to the child so that the parents can make informed decisions about

3-5 their child’s education; and be it further

3-6 Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly prepare and transmit a

3-7 copy of this resolution to the President of the State Board of Education and

3-8 the boards of trustees of the school districts in this state.