B006-9899

10 	AN ACT concerning

20 		Education -- American Sign Language -- Foreign Language Credit

30 	FOR the purpose of specifying that, for academic purposes and graduation 
40 	requirements, in Maryland public secondary schools, and public institutions of 
50	higher education, American Sign Language shall be deemed a foreign language; 
60	and generally relating to academic course credit and graduation requirements.

70	BY adding to
80	Article -- Education
90	Sections 7-208 and 11-208
100	Annotated Code of Maryland
110	(1997 Replacement Volume)

120   		SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE MARYLAND STUDENT 
130	LEGISLATURE, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

140			Article -- Education

150	7-208

160	FOR THE PURPOSES OF AWARDING ACADEMIC CREDIT AND 
170	SATISFYING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS, AMERICAN SIGN 
180	LANGUAGE SHALL BE DEEMED A COURSE IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE.

190	11-208

200	NOT WITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, ANY PUBLIC
210	INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND ANY PUBLIC SECONDARY
220	SCHOOL WITHIN THE STATE OF MARYLAND OFFERING COURSES 
230	FOR CREDIT, SHALL DEEM AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE A COURSE 
240	IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE FOR PURPOSES OF AWARDING ACADEMIC 
250	CREDIT AND SATISFYING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS.

260	SECTION 2.  AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall 
270	take effect July 1, 2001.

280	MANDATES:	Dr. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools
290			Dr. Anthony G. Marchione, Baltimore County Superintendent of 
300			Schools
310			Senator Hoffman
320			Senator Ruben
330 			Senator Sarbanes

Sponsor:
Amanda Buchanan
College of Notre Dame of MD
Box 160
4701 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21210
(410) 617-3660
sabucha1@ndm.edu