An Act ensuring language readiness in deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children entering kindergarten

This bill requires Massachusetts to create tools helping deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing children (ages 0-6) develop language skills before kindergarten. It mandates the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with health and education departments, to develop: (1) a parent resource guide in multiple languages tracking language milestones, and (2) educator assessments for schools to monitor expressive/receptive language progress. The parent guide emphasizes using existing federal standards (like IDEA) while honoring ASL, English, or "Total Communication" approaches. Schools must use these tools alongside existing IFSP/IEP/504 plans to identify language delays and recommend services, with parents able to opt out of annual assessments in writing.