HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2554
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature recognizes that American Sign Language is one of the most popular foreign languages at institutions of higher education in the United States.

     The legislature finds that recognition of American Sign Language would provide many benefits to the State and its people, including:

     (1)  Allowing deaf children to become more self-confident in their identity, gain language fluency at an earlier age, and improve their critical-thinking skills; and

     (2)  Enriching the language development of hearing children.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and designate American Sign Language as a language distinct from English or Hawaiian.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§5-   Designation of language. American Sign Language is established and designated as a language distinct from English and Hawaiian."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

American Sign Language; Distinct from English and Hawaiian

Description:

Establishes and designates American Sign Language as a language distinct from English and Hawaiian.  (HB2554 HD1)

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