Alaska 34th Alaska State Legislature Status: In Committee 1 D cosponsors

SB 8 — An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Last action — (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 22, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    1 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

17 added · 17 removed

Plain-language change summary

The key changes in SB 8 include the removal of the requirement for school districts to consult with a child's parents before determining placement in a program for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Now, the decision can be made solely by the school district. This matters because it streamlines the decision-making process for placements, potentially making it quicker and easier for students to receive the necessary services, but it may also reduce parental involvement in the placement process.

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34-LS0075\N CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
34-LS0075\A SENATE BILL NO.
8(EDC) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE Referred:
8 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION BY SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON Introduced:
Finance Sponsor(s):
1/22/25 Referred:
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
Education, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to public school students who are deaf or hard of hearing." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
(c) A school district shall (1) provide a parent of a child who is deaf or hard of , or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, with comprehensive, neutral, and unbiased information regarding (A) hearing technology, including hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids, cochlear implants, and remote microphone systems;
(c) A school district shall (1) provide a parent of a child who is deaf or hard of, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, with comprehensive, neutral, and unbiased information regarding (A) hearing technology, including hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids, cochlear implants, and remote microphone systems;
and (D) support and advocacy services offered by public and SB0008B -1- CSSB 8(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0075\N private agencies and other entities knowledgeable about the needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing;
and (D) support and advocacy services offered by public and SB0008A -1- SB 8 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0075\A private agencies and other entities knowledgeable about the needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing;
and (3) deliver services to a child who is deaf or hard of he, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, through professionals with training, experience, and a background in the chosen method of communication.
and (3) deliver services to a child who is deaf or hard of hea, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, through professionals with training, experience, and a background in the chosen method of communication.
CSSB 8(EDC) -2- SB0008B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0075\N * Sec.
SB 8 -2- SB0008A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 34-LS0075\A * Sec.
If a school district determines, in consultation with the child's parents, that placement at the program is appropriate for a child who resides in the district, the school district that makes the placement retains the school district's responsibilities for special education for that child under state and federal law.
If a school district determines that placement at the program is appropriate for a child who resides in the district, the school district that makes the placement retains the school district's responsibilities for special education for that child under state and federal law.
SB0008B -3- CSSB 8(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
SB0008A -3- SB 8 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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How this bill changes current law

3 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill mandates school districts to provide specific information and services for students who are deaf or hard of hearing and establishes a centralized program for such students.

  • AS 14.30.272

    (c) A school district shall (1) provide a parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, with comprehensive, neutral, and unbiased information regarding (A) hearing technology, including hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing aids, cochlear implants, and remote microphone systems; (B) different methods of communication for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, including listening and spoken language, a bilingual approach, cued speech, and total communication; (C) services and programs that are designed to meet the needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; and (D) support and advocacy services offered by public and private agencies and other entities knowledgeable about the needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; (2) allow the parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, to choose the method of communication that the parent determines is most appropriate for the child and provide services using the parent's chosen method of communication for the child; and (3) deliver services to a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, through professionals with training, experience, and a background in the chosen method of communication.

    This addition requires school districts to provide specific resources and services tailored for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

  • AS 14.30.272

    (d) A school district shall inform a parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, or who the school district suspects may be deaf or hard of hearing, of the school district's duties and of the parent's rights provided under (c) of this section.

    This mandates that parents be informed of their rights and the school's obligations regarding their deaf or hard of hearing child.

  • AS 14.30.276

    (b) The department shall establish and operate a centralized program for the deaf to be made available to deaf students in the state. The program must provide residential services as part of its educational program. The program may be operated by a school district under an agreement with the department. If a school district operates the program, the school district shall annually submit a plan of operations to the department for approval and shall perform all duties of a local school district related to special education under state and federal law, except that the school district is required to offer transportation only to students who reside in the district. If a school district determines, in consultation with the child's parents, that placement at the program is appropriate for a child who resides in the district, the school district that makes the placement retains the school district's responsibilities for special education for that child under state and federal law. The department shall provide to a school district that operates the program funding for students who attend the program.

    This establishes a centralized program specifically for deaf students, ensuring they receive appropriate education and resources.

Action History

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  2. (S) FN1: ZERO(EED)

  3. (S) NR: BJORKMAN, STEVENS, KIEHL

  4. (S) DP: TOBIN, CRONK

  5. (S) EDC RPT CS 2DP 3NR SAME TITLE

  6. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  7. (S) Moved CSSB 8(EDC) Out of Committee

  8. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  9. (S) -- Testimony <Invitation Only> -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  10. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  11. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  12. (S) Heard & Held

  13. (S) EDUCATION at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  14. (S) EDC, FIN

  15. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  16. (S) Prefile released 1/10/25

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 64 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 8?
SB 8 is sponsored by Elvi Gray-Jackson (D).
What is the current status of SB 8?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 22, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 8?
Track SB 8 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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