FIRST REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 284
91ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR STEELMAN.
Read 1st time January 11, 2001, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
1106S.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 170, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to American sign language.
Section A. Chapter 170, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 170.325, to read as follows:
170.325. 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. Any state educational institution may offer one or more elective courses in American sign language.
3. American sign language shall be treated by educational institutions in Missouri as a foreign language for credit granting and receiving purposes.
4. Students enrolled in state educational institutions that offer American sign language courses shall receive academic credit for such courses either by completing such courses or by demonstrating proficiency in American sign language, if the educational institution gives credit for completing courses or demonstrating proficiency in any other foreign language.
5. Academic credit received for either completing an American sign language course or demonstrating proficiency in American sign language shall be counted toward 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 institution of higher education or demonstrated proficiency in American sign language shall be counted toward satisfaction of the foreign language entrance requirements of any institution of higher education located in the state of Missouri.
6. The Missouri commission for the deaf shall provide assistance, advice and guidance on the development, establishment and teaching of the American sign language courses in Missouri schools when needed and requested.