Illinois legislation · 104th General Assembly
Illinois HB1783: ST BD ED-LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
Status: Signed into law, July 30, 2026
Creates the Language Equality Acquisition for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind Children Act. Provides that the State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and the Department of Human Services, shall establish a language assessment program for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children, and select language developmental milestones. Sets forth provisions concerning the scope and purpose of the program and the development of a resource for use by parents and guardians. Provides that the State Board, in cooperation with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and the Department of Human Services, shall select tools or assessments for educators that can be used to assess the language and literacy development of all deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children. Sets forth provisions concerning the tools or assessments. Provides that beginning on July 1, 2026, a language assessment shall be given to each child who is deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf-blind and who is less than 6 years of age. Sets forth provisions concerning the assessment. Provides that an advisory committee on language assessment programs shall be established by the State Board, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, and the Department of Human Services. Sets forth the membership and duties of the advisory committee. Provides that on or before July 1, 2026, the State Board, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, and the Department of Human Services shall publish a joint action plan and may propose legislation and rules necessary to implement the recommendations of the advisory committee. Sets forth provisions concerning reporting and rulemaking. Effective immediately.
What the bill says
A bill FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB1783Introduced 1/28/2025, by Rep. Michelle MussmanSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Language Equality Acquisition for the Deaf, Hard ofHearing, and Deaf-Blind Children Act. Provides that the State Board ofEducation, in cooperation with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission andthe Department of Human Services, shall establish a language assessmentprogram for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children, and selectlanguage developmental milestones…
From the introduced text, January 27, 2025:
A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026HB1783Introduced 1/28/2025, by Rep. Michelle MussmanSYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: New Act New Act New Act Creates the Language Equality Acquisition for the Deaf, Hard ofHearing, and Deaf-Blind Children Act. Provides that the State Board ofEducation, in cooperation with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission andthe Department of Human Services, shall establish a language assessmentprogram for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind children, and selectlanguage developmental milestones. Sets forth provisions concerning thescope and purpose of the program and the development of a resource for useby parents and guardians. Provides that the State Board, in cooperationwith the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission and the Department of HumanServices, shall select tools or assessments for educators that can be usedto assess the language and literacy development of all deaf, hard ofhearing, and deaf-blind children. Sets forth provisions concerning thetools or assessments. Provides that beginning on July 1, 2026, a languageassessment shall be given to each child who is deaf, hard of hearing, ordeaf-blind and who is less than 6 years of age. Sets forth provisionsconcerning the assessment. Provides that an advisory committee on languageassessment programs shall be established by the State Board, the Deaf andHard of Hearing Commission, and the Department of Human Services. Setsforth the membership and duties of the advisory …