Bill Caption

Relating to the language acquisition of children eight years of age or younger who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB895, Committee Report 1st House, As Amended: a negative impact of ($323,870) through the biennium ending August 31, 2021.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

The Texas Education Agency and the Health and Human Services Commission would be required to implement a provision of the Act only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency and commission would be allowed to, but would not be required to, implement a provision of the Act using other appropriations available for the purpose.

Bill Analysis

SB 895 would require that the commissioner of the Texas Education Agency and the executive director of the Health and Human Services Commission to ensure that the language acquisition of deaf or hard of hearing children, that are at least eight years old or younger, in English or American Sign Language would be regularly assessed. The TEA, Educational Resource Center on Deafness at the Texas School for the Deaf, and Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services of the Health and Human Services Commission would also be required to submit a joint report annually on language acquisition for deaf children eight years old or younger. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action remains neutral on SB 895 because it does not affect our liberty principles.