HB437: HB437 State Board of Education; establish rules and regulations for local school system outreach efforts regarding ESOL program; require

25 LC 49 2105 House Bill 437 By: Representatives Lim of the 98th, Cannon of the 172nd, Hong of the 103rd, Olaleye of the 59th, Reeves of the 99th, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Of ficial Code of Georgia1 Annotated, relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as2 to require the State Board of Education to establish rules and regulations for local school3 system outreach efforts regarding the English for speakers of o ther languages (ESOL)4 program; to require local school systems to engage in such community outreach efforts; to5 provide for standards for foreign language interpreters providi ng services to students in6 educational settings; to require local school systems to provid e certain information to7 limited-English-proficient parents and guardians regarding thei r children; to provide for8 interpreter services; to provide for meetings of school represe ntatives with9 limited-English-proficient parents and guardians regarding thei r children; to provide for10 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.11 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:12 SECTION 1.13 Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Co de of Georgia Annotated,14 relating to educational programs under the "Quality Basic Educa tion Act," is amended by15 H. B. 437 - 1 - 25 LC 49 2105 revising Code Section 20-2-156, relating to program for limited-English-proficient students,16 as follows:17 "20-2-156.18 (a) The State Board of Education shall create a program for limit ed-English-proficient19 students whose native language is not English, subject to appro priation by the General20 Assembly. The purpose of this program is to assist such students to develop proficiency21 in the English language, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing, sufficient to22 perform effectively at the currently assigned grade level. The state board shall prescribe23 such rules and regulations regarding eligibility criteria and standards as may be needed to24 carry out the provisions of this Code section. The state board shall also prescribe rules and25 regulations regarding community outreach efforts by local school systems to ensure that26 limited-English-proficient students and their parents and guard ians are provided27 information regarding the program. This program may also be referred to as the English28 for speakers of other languages (ESOL) program.29 (b) The State Board of Education shall establish standards for foreign language interpreters30 working with students in educational settings. Such standards shall include, but shall not31 be limited to:32 (1) Demonstrated proficiency in English and the target language in listening, speaking,33 and reading domains; and34 (2) Familiarity with legal concepts related to and service requirements of Part B of the35 federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the federal36 Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as standards for the use of remote interpreter services,37 including, but not limited to, the conditions under which remote interpreter services may38 be used to provide high-quality interpreter services.39 (c) Each local school system shall provide to limited-English- proficient parents and40 guardians, in a language easily understood by such parents and guardians, information41 regarding their children relative to the following:42 H. B. 437 - 2 - 25 LC 49 2105 (1) School registration, enrollment, and withdrawal;43 (2) Grievance procedures;44 (3) Notices of all school programs, including, but not limited to, talented and gifted45 programs, early intervention programs, special education progra ms, art and music46 programs, and athletic programs;47 (4) Student discipline policies and procedures, student codes of conduct, handbooks, and48 similar materials;49 (5) Report cards;50 (6) Language assistance programs;51 (7) School choice opportunities; and52 (8) Parent-teacher conferences.53 (d) Each local school system shall provide to limited-English- proficient parents and54 guardians in a language easily understood by such parents and guardians, regarding their55 children:56 (1) Information regarding the availability of interpretation services at any meeting with57 school representatives;58 (2) An explanation of how parents or guardians can request an interpreter;59 (3) Notice that a parent or guardian has the right to request that the interpreter serve no60 other role in the meeting than as an interpreter, and that the local school system should61 make reasonable efforts to fulfill this request; and62 (4) A point of contact to address any questions or complaints about interpretation63 services.64 (e) For each meeting a school representative has with limited-English-proficient parents65 and guardians regarding their children, the recorded minutes of such meeting shall reflect:66 (1) Whether a parent or guardian requested an interpreter, had previously requested67 interpretation services, or had otherwise indicated that an int erpreter was necessary to68 ensure meaningful parental or guardian involvement in the meeting;69 H. B. 437 - 3 - 25 LC 49 2105 (2) The language for interpretation;70 (3) Whether a qualified interpreter was provided or a parent o r guardian provided an71 interpreter of his or her own choosing; and72 (4) Whether a parent or guardian requested that the interpreter serve no other role in the73 IEP meeting and, if so, whether the local school district granted such request.74 (f) Each local school system shall engage in community outreach efforts directed toward75 limited-English-proficient students and their parents and guard ians. Such efforts shall76 comply with the rules and regulations prescribed by the State Board of Education pursuant77 to subsection (a) of this Code section."78 SECTION 2.79 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.80 H. B. 437 - 4 -