AB 455 California Bill to Force Students to Learn ASL?

California Bill AB 455 is in the process of being written to force(?) students with hearing loss from K - 12th grade to learn ASL (as opposed to "sign language" which would be broader in scope). Nothing in the bill says anything on other modes of communication such as CUED speech, SEE, PSE, or aural-oral uses.

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.

This bill would additionally require the Superintendent, upon
consultation with a group of experts on the  deaf 
 Deaf  and hard-of-hearing, to develop standards that are
aligned to the common core academic content standards, for 
deaf  Deaf  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 for  deaf   Deaf 
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 provide  deaf 
 Deaf  and hard-of-hearing pupils opportunities for
instruction to master the standards adopted by the state board,
thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.

And this section as well.

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 the  deaf  Deaf  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 of  deaf   Deaf  and
hard-of-hearing pupils.
   (2) Teachers of  deaf   Deaf  and
hard-of-hearing pupils.
   (3) Researchers in the field of deafness and auditory impairment.
   (4) Curriculum and instructional specialists with experience with
 deaf   Deaf  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 are  deaf   Deaf  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 are  deaf   Deaf 
or hard-of-hearing and use American Sign Language as their primary
language or literacy access mode.

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."

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.