American Sign Language is hereby recognized as a language art and may be taught in the public schools of the state in educational programs for both hearing and deaf students. American Sign Language classes taught in the public schools may be counted by a public school in fulfilling elective course offerings and shall be granted the same credit as a foreign language. For the purposes of this section, American Sign Language may be taught in the public schools by any qualified teacher under the supervision of a certified teacher.
Added by Laws 1982, c. 126, § 1, operative July 1, 1982. Amended by Laws 1991, c. 201, § 1, emerg. eff. May 17, 1991; Laws 1999, c. 35, § 1, eff. July 1, 1999.