Read 1st time February 23, 2000, and 1000 copies ordered printed.
ANNE C. WALKER, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 1, RSMo, relating to laws and statutes by adding thereto one new section relating to American Sign Language.
Section A. Chapter 1, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 1.029, to read as follows:
1.029. 1. American Sign Language, as defined in section 209.285, RSMo, shall be recognized as a fully developed, autonomous, unique, visual-gestural language with its own syntax, rhetoric, grammar and morphology.
2. American Sign Language shall be recognized as the native language of many deaf persons in the state of Missouri.
3. The teaching, study and learning of American Sign Language is encouraged in all schools in the state of Missouri. Any state educational institution may offer one or more elective courses in American Sign Language and when American Sign Language is offered by a Missouri educational institution it shall be treated the same as any other foreign language.
4. Students enrolled in any state educational institutions that offer American Sign Language courses may receive academic credit for such courses by either taking such courses or by demonstrating proficiency in American Sign Language if the school gives credit for demonstrating proficiency in any other foreign language. Academic credit received for either taking an American Sign Language course or demonstrating proficiency in American Sign Language shall be counted towards satisfaction of any foreign language requirements of the institution teaching such courses. Academic credit received for either successful completion of American Sign Language courses in a secondary school or demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language shall be counted towards satisfaction of the foreign language entrance requirements of any institution of higher education located in the state of Missouri.
5. In order to appropriately respect the heritage of American Sign Language and the sociolinguistic culture for which it is the native language, only qualified persons who know and use the language shall be employed to teach American Sign Language in Missouri schools.
6. The Missouri commission for the deaf shall provide assistance, advice, and guidance on the development,
establishment and teaching of American Sign Language courses in Missouri schools when needed and
requested.
Missouri House
of Representatives