You can visit the AB 455 section of the legislative page to check in for updates. The Bill was introduced on February 19, 2013. It has been amended three times so far. And was voted on as well. Check the current status in the legislative page.
The author of the bill is Assembly member Jose Medina for District 61 (map) which is Riverside. The bill has the hallmark touch coming from an over-zealous faction of the culturally deaf group.
Here's the relevant section of the bill. Note the revision of the term "deaf" which was struck and changed to "Deaf"? The handmark of the zealots in changing those terms in the effort to define deaf people per their own agenda.
And this section as well.This bill would additionally require the Superintendent, upon consultation with a group of experts on thedeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing, to develop standards that are aligned to the common core academic content standards, fordeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing pupils to learn, and achieve mastery of and literacy in, American Sign Language as a child progresses through kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. The bill would require the Superintendent to recommend these standards to the state board by March 30, 2015. (2) Existing law requires the state board to adopt braille reading and mathematics standards for visually impaired pupils by June 1, 2006. This bill would require the state board to adopt braille reading and mathematics standards for blind and visually impaired pupils that are aligned to the common core academic content standards by June 30, 2015, as specified. The bill would require county offices of education, school districts, and special education local plan areas to provide blind and visually impaired pupils opportunities for instruction to master the standards adopted by the state board, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. This bill would also require the state board to adopt American Sign Language standards fordeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing pupils that are aligned to the common core academic content standards by June 30, 2015, as specified. The bill would require county offices of education, school districts, and special education local plan areas to providedeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing pupils opportunities for instruction to master the standards adopted by the state board, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.
UPDATE I: The problem in this bill is that they included the terms "Deaf AND hard of hearing" pupils. "Hard of hearing" by itself does not mean the person knows sign language or is a culturally deaf person. It appears to reek of "entitlement."Article 3.6. Individualized Education Program for Deaf and Hard-of-hearing Pupils 56355. (a) The Superintendent shall consult with a group of experts on thedeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing to develop standards that are aligned to the common core academic content standards to learn, and achieve the mastery of and literacy in, American Sign Language as a pupil progresses through kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive. (b) The group of experts shall include, but shall not be limited to, members representing all of the following: (1) Parents ofdeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing pupils. (2) Teachers ofdeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing pupils. (3) Researchers in the field of deafness and auditory impairment. (4) Curriculum and instructional specialists with experience withdeafDeaf and hard-of-hearing pupils. (5) Groups that advocate for teaching of, and use of, American Sign Language. (c) At least one-half of the members of the group of experts shall be currently employed public schoolteachers. (d) The standards described in subdivision (a) shall be developed for pupils who aredeafDeaf or hard-of-hearing and who use American Sign Language as their primary language or literacy access mode. (e) The Superintendent shall make a recommendation to the state board regarding the standards developed pursuant to subdivision (a) by March 30, 2015. 56356. (a) Except as provided in subdivision (c), by June 30, 2015, the state board shall adopt American Sign Language literacy standards that are aligned to the common core academic content standards for pupils who aredeafDeaf or hard-of-hearing and use American Sign Language as their primary language or literacy access mode.
UPDATE II: From one group (a closed FB group of parents and adult CI users) who said:
"We oppose AB455 and any legislation that forces a language or culture upon any group of beings. We are opposed to AB455 because it infringes upon the civil rights of parents and the right to choose what's best for their deaf or hard of hearing child."
UPDATE III: Another potential problem for this bill. The term "Deaf" has always meant for culturally deaf people but as of late over the last few years some of the militant deaf group in the Bay area of California and elsewhere have been pushing to redefine the term "Deaf" to include all people with hearing loss whether they know sign language or not. So, that group is actually shooting themselves in the foot over that one with this bill. And here's why.
UPDATE IV: This bill is just a bit funky in the way it is written. It is now gaining legs with the attention of parents of deaf and hard of hearing children and one powerful lobby group. The big problem could be the bill is not clear on what they want to cover or it has every intention to force all kids with hearing loss to learn ASL from K - 12th grade. The shouts will only get louder from here on out until something is made clear by the author of the bill or the bill itself.
