(NASHVILLE) — This week, Republican lawmakers passed legislation sponsored by State Representative Roger Kane (R-Knoxville) that allows American Sign Language to be used to satisfy foreign language requirements in Tennessee high schools.
House Bill 462, also known as the American Sign Language Bill, was initiated by Molly Ridgeway, a nonverbal student at Maryville College, and her boyfriend Joshua Anderson. It allows any high school student who enrolls in an American Sign Language course to use the credit they earn to satisfy foreign language requirements needed for graduation. Currently, more than 180 U.S. colleges and universities accept American Sign Language as a foreign language credit from incoming high school graduates.
“This legislation fulfills a long-standing promise that we as lawmakers made to members of the nonverbal community almost 30 years ago,” said Chairman Kane. “It also improves communication between verbal and nonverbal Tennesseans and could lead to job growth for future nonverbal educators.”
The full text of House Bill 287 can be accessed by visiting the Tennessee General Assembly website at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0462.pdf
Roger Kane serves as the Chairman of the House Education Instruction & Programs Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Education Instruction & Programs Committee, as well as the House Education Administration & Planning Committee. Kane lives in Knoxville and represents House District 89, which includes part of Knox County. He can be reached by email at Rep.Roger.Kane@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-4110.
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