A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to establish the task force on the educationAL SERVICES FOR CHILDREN who are deaf OR hearing impaired.
Whereas, the General Assembly recognizes the valuable contributions from various constituency groups involved in serving children who are deaf or hearing impaired; and
Whereas, it is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that children who are deaf or hearing impaired receive the best opportunities for optimal student outcomes; and
Whereas, it is the belief of the General Assembly that this can best be accomplished through a collaborative approach that considers input from various constituency groups and perspectives; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.(a)  Establishment. – The Educational Services for Children who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired Task Force is established.
SECTION 1.(b)  Membership. – The Task Force shall be composed of 20 members as follows:
(1)	Ten members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:
a.	Two persons who are members of the House of Representatives at the time of appointment, at least one of whom represents the minority party.
b.	A representative of the Department of Public Instruction.
c.	A classroom teacher, as recommended by the North Carolina Association of Educators, teaching children who are deaf or hearing impaired in State residential or day settings.
d.	A representative of parents of children who are deaf or hearing impaired. The parent representative may also be a member of the NC Council on Deaf and Hard of Hearing as provided under G.S. 143B‑216.32.
e.	A representative of the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
f.	A representative from the North Carolina Association of the Deaf.
g. 	A representative from the North Carolina School for the Deaf.
h.	A representative from Beginnings.
i.	A representative from NC Case.
(2)	Ten members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate as follows:
a.	Two persons who are members of the Senate at the time of appointment, at least one of whom represents the minority party.
b.	A representative of the State Board of Education.
c.	A classroom teacher, as recommended by the North Carolina Association of Educators, teaching children who are deaf or hearing impaired in traditional public school settings.
d.	A school system superintendent, as recommended by the North Carolina Association of School Administrators.
e.	A local school board member, as recommended by the North Carolina School Boards Association.
f.	A representative of NC AG Bell.
g.	A representative from the Eastern School for the Deaf.
h.	A representative from the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee of the Division of Public Health.
i.	A representative from Sertoma International.
The Task Force shall have two cochairs, one designated by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives from among their appointees. The Task Force shall meet upon the call of the cochairs. Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. A quorum of the Task Force shall be a majority of the members.
SECTION 1.(c)  Duties. – The Task Force shall (i) serve as a resource for legislators and State agencies involved in the education of children who are deaf or hearing impaired and (ii) make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the necessary continuum of educational services, supports, and placements to ensure optimal educational outcomes of children who are deaf or hearing impaired.
SECTION 1.(d)  Compensation; Administration. – Members of the Task Force shall receive subsistence and travel allowances at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and clerical staff to assist in the work of the Task Force. With the prior approval of the Legislative Services Commission, the Task Force may hold its meetings in the State Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building. The Task Force may also meet at various locations around the State in order to promote greater public participation in its deliberations. The Task Force, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all the powers provided under the provisions of G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4, including the power to request all officers, agents, agencies, and departments of the State to provide any information, data, or documents within their possession, ascertainable from their records or otherwise available to them, and the power to subpoena witnesses.
SECTION 1.(e)  Report. – The Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations to the 2014 Regular Session of the 2013 General Assembly no later than March 1, 2014, and to the 2015 General Assembly no later than January 15, 2015. The Task Force shall terminate upon the filing of its final report.
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.