SB 312 Connecticut Senate · 2026 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION WORKING GROUP AND CONCERNING CURRICULUM GUIDANCE FOR AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION.

SB 312 allows Connecticut's Department of Education to approve machine-learning literacy tools that listen to students read, analyze performance in real time, and provide immediate individualized feedback, provided they align with reading science research and meet effectiveness standards. It also requires educator preparation programs to include mandatory behavior management courses for graduates and establishes an American Sign Language (ASL) working group to develop curriculum standards, teacher certification pathways, and training programs for ASL educators. The bill mandates the Department to issue ASL curriculum guidance by 2030 to support schools implementing world language requirements. These provisions directly affect public school students, educators, and school districts through new instructional tools and educator training requirements.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Last action Apr 16, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

ED Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference → APP Joint Favorable Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill's title and purpose were completely rewritten to establish an American Sign Language Education Working Group and provide curriculum guidance, replacing previous language about assorted education revisions. The substantive content regarding the working group's composition and certification standards was modified for clarity, while the entire section detailing health insurance subsidy payments was removed.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from general education revisions to a specific focus on American Sign Language education and curriculum standards.

REQUIREMENT

The working group composition language was changed from 'which shall consist' to 'that consists' for grammatical clarity.

The certification standards language was changed from 'includes, but is not limited to' to 'include, at a minimum' to specify required elements more clearly.

FISCAL

All provisions regarding health insurance subsidy payments for teachers and their dependents, including specific dollar amounts and payment schedules, were deleted.

SCOPE

New title and introductory text explicitly establish an American Sign Language Education Working Group and mandate curriculum guidance for ASL instruction.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute

upper

Mar 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference APP

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

upper

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors