SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2057        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 338

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jacob R. Oliveira

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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.

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PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Jacob R. Oliveira

Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester

 

Carol A. Doherty

3rd Bristol

 

Lydia Edwards

Third Suffolk

2/2/2023

James K. Hawkins

2nd Bristol

2/8/2023

Patrick M. O'Connor

First Plymouth and Norfolk

2/8/2023

Patricia D. Jehlen

Second Middlesex

3/2/2023


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2057        FILED ON: 1/20/2023

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 338

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 338) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Carol A. Doherty, Lydia Edwards, James K. Hawkins and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote the inclusion of American Sign Language in the Commonwealth’s public schools.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

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

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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.”