Virginia HB 1047: Students who need or use augmentative and alternative communication; instruction, eligibility.

Bill Text

2022SESSION
INTRODUCED
22104071D
1 HOUSEBILLNO.1047
2 OfferedJanuary12,2022
3 PrefiledJanuary12,2022
4 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-217.3, relating to students
5 who need or use augmentative and alternative communication; instruction; eligibility; staff training.
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Patrons––TranandKrizek
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8 ReferredtoCommitteeonEducation
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10 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
11 1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-217.3 as follows:
12 § 22.1-217.3. Students who need or use augmentative and alternative communication; instruction;
13 eligibility; staff training.
14 A. As used in this section, "augmentative and alternative communication" or "AAC" means any
15 device, tool, support, or service, or any combination thereof, that facilitates any form of communication,
16 other than oral speech, that can be used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas.
17 B. No student who needs or uses AAC to communicate shall be denied the opportunity for inclusion
18 in regular classrooms or the provision of age-appropriate instruction on the basis that the student may
19 require support with AAC.
20 C. No individualized education program team, member of such team, or school division employee
21 shall utilize the results of any intelligence quotient test or any other test to measure intelligence or
22 cognitive ability to determine a student with a disability's eligibility to be provided with and use AAC at
23 school.
24 D. In accordance with the definition of "assistive technology service" in 8VAC20-81-10, subsection F
25 of 8VAC20-81-100, and subsection F of 8VAC20-81-110 of the Virginia Administrative Code, a school
26 division shall document on the individualized education program of a student with a disability who
27 needs or uses AAC, beginning prior to the provision of instruction or support to the student, including
28 any extended school year period, the student's AAC and communication access and support needs,
29 including, as appropriate, individualized training as an assistive technology service for each school
30 division employee or contractor who provides instruction or direct support to such student, to support
31 the student's use of AAC and to ensure that curricula and instruction are designed or adapted as
32 necessary to accommodate the student's unique communication access needs.
INTRODUCED
HB1047
9/16/24
16:2