Public social services for deaf persons.

Existing law requires public social services for the deaf and hard of hearing to be available in at least 3 regions throughout the state. Existing law provides that public social services for the deaf and hard of hearing includes, but is not limited to, complete communication services through interpreter services by a professional interpreter for the deaf, as specified, and counseling. Existing law requires the State Department of Social Services, with the advice of persons knowledgeable about the provision of public social services to deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, to establish the criteria for funding public social services for the deaf and hard of hearing. This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would require the department to provide deaf access program services to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who reside in a linguistically isolated household, as defined.