HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 692        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 466

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Carol A. Doherty

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Carol A. Doherty

3rd Bristol

1/17/2023

Christopher Hendricks

11th Bristol

2/9/2023

James K. Hawkins

2nd Bristol

2/9/2023

Patrick M. O'Connor

First Plymouth and Norfolk

2/9/2023

Paul McMurtry

11th Norfolk

2/19/2023

Shirley B. Arriaga

8th Hampden

2/27/2023

Sally P. Kerans

13th Essex

2/27/2023

Jacob R. Oliveira

Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester

4/22/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 692        FILED ON: 1/17/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 466

By Representative Doherty of Taunton, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 466) of Carol A. Doherty and others relative to the inclusion of American Sign Language in public schools.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 1. Section 2B of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition is hereby amended by, in line 8, striking out the word “may” and in place thereof, inserting the word “shall.”

Section 2. Section 2B of Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition is hereby amended by inserting, after the word “society” in line 8 the following:- “As many children with autism have been able to learn and communicate successfully via sign language because it is visually based, unaided, and provides a mode of quick communication.”