Special education: specialized deaf and hard-of-hearing services.

Assemblymember Hoover's legislation clarifies provisions for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in California's special education system by allowing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to consist solely of specialized services for these students. The amendment to Section 56031 of the Education Code explicitly permits IEPs to include specialized deaf and hard-of-hearing related services without requiring additional special education components.

The bill addresses the distinct needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils, who may require specialized communication and language support without placement in special day classes or core academic instruction from special education teachers. Under existing regulations, these services encompass language development, auditory skill development, and educational accommodations. The legislation enables local educational agencies to contract these specialized services through certified nonpublic, nonsectarian agencies when appropriate.

This modification to the Education Code maintains the fundamental definition of special education as specially designed instruction provided at no cost to parents while expanding service delivery options for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Local educational agencies will need to review their IEP processes to incorporate these standalone service provisions, though the bill requires no additional state funding for implementation.