GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

S	1 

SENATE BILL 646*

Short Title:  Schools for Deaf Standards Funds.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senators Cooper; and Speed.
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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March 31, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO BRING THE NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF UP TO THE MINIMUM STANDARDS OUTLINED BY THE BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM AND THE PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON EDUCATION FOR THE DEAF.
Whereas, the 1973 reorganization of State government eliminated the board of regents and left the North Carolina Schools for the Deaf without any effective voice to advocate for quality education programs; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Schools for the Deaf have not been provided funding to extend elements of the Basic Education Program to their students; and
Whereas, the North Carolina Schools for the Deaf are not able to afford extended year programs and transition programming as required by State and federal law; and
Whereas, the emotional and mental health needs of deaf and hard of hearing children have not been addressed in an adequate and appropriate manner; and
Whereas, North Carolina has not addressed the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on Education of the Deaf; and
Whereas, the 1992 Task Force on Quality Assurance for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provided the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with a comprehensive cradle-to-grave plan for the deaf and hard of hearing that addresses the educational needs of the deaf and hard of hearing; and
Whereas, two State audits and two task forces have addressed these same needs over the last five years with similar conclusions and recommendations; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Department of Human Resources, the sum of three million five hundred ninety-three thousand eight hundred forty-nine dollars ($3,593,849) for the 1993-94 fiscal year and the sum of four million one hundred sixty-four thousand seven hundred eighty-eight dollars ($4,164,788) for the 1994-95 fiscal year, to bring the three Schools for the Deaf up to the minimum standards required by the Basic Education Program and by the 1986 Presidential Commission on Education of the Deaf (COED), as recommended by the 1992 Task Force on Quality Assurance for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's report to the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Department of Human Resources.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1993.