HB 5487 Connecticut House · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION WORKING GROUP AND INCREASING STATE ASSISTANCE FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND DEAF.

This bill creates a three-year pilot program to train high school students as American Sign Language interpreters and increases funding for specialized services for individuals who are both blind or visually impaired and deaf. The program will provide up to $1 million to fund high school courses in ASL at select school districts, which must partner with colleges to offer college credit for the training. Additionally, the bill raises the annual state assistance limit for community inclusion services for dual-blind and deaf individuals from $10,000 to $14,000 per person. These changes aim to build a future workforce of interpreters and improve support for people with multiple disabilities.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 5, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

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What changed between versions

Raised Bill → HS Joint Favorable Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renamed from a 'Raised Bill' to a 'Substitute Bill' after receiving favorable recommendations from legislative committees. The primary substantive change is the replacement of a pilot funding program for high school ASL courses with a permanent working group designed to develop long-term curriculum, certification standards, and teacher training guidelines. The financial provision for specialized services for individuals who are both blind and deaf remains unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a limited, three-year pilot program for high school students to a permanent working group focused on statewide education policy and professional development.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the new ASL initiative changed from July 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027.

SCOPE

The ASL initiative was changed from a pilot program funding five school districts to the creation of a permanent working group.

REQUIREMENT

A new working group was established consisting of representatives from multiple state departments, educational organizations, and deaf advocacy groups.

The working group is tasked with developing curriculum guidance, teacher certification standards, and guidance for educator preparation programs.

The requirement for school districts to sign memorandums of understanding with higher education institutions for college credit was removed.

Reporting requirements were updated to reflect the new working group structure rather than a specific pilot program.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Human Services

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors