53A-13-101.5 - Teaching of American sign language. - Utah Statutes

53A-13-101.5. Teaching of American sign language.
(1) The Legislature recognizes that American sign language is a fully developed,autonomous, natural language with distinct grammar, syntax, and art forms.
(2) American sign language shall be accorded equal status with other linguistic systems inthe state's public and higher education systems.
(3) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the state's school districts andmembers of the deaf and hard of hearing community, shall develop and implement policies andprocedures for the teaching of American sign language in the state's public education system atleast at the middle school or high school level.
(4) A student may count credit received for completion of a course in American signlanguage at the middle school or high school level towards the satisfaction of a foreign languagerequirement in the public education system under rules made by the State Board of Education.
(5) The State Board of Regents, in consultation with the state's public institutions ofhigher education and members of the state's deaf and hard of hearing community, shall developand implement policies and procedures for offering instruction in American sign language in thestate's system of higher education consistent with the master plan for higher education underSection 53B-6-101.
(6) The Joint Liaison Committee, in consultation with members of the state's deaf andhard of hearing community, shall review any policies and procedures developed under this sectionand make recommendations to either or both boards regarding the policies.

Amended by Chapter 297, 1998 General Session