Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Signing is Language Act”.
Signing is Language Act
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to clarify that ASL students are English learners.
Sec. 2 American Community Survey
Section 3111(c)(3)(A)(i) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6821(c)(3)) is amended by inserting before the semicolon the following: “and, which, through consultation with such Department, the Secretary shall ensure includes the English learners described in section 8101(20)(C)(iv)”.
Sec. 3 English learner definition
Section 8101(20)(C) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801(20(C)))—
in clause (ii)(II), by striking “or” at the end;
in clause (iii), by striking “and” at the end and inserting “or”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(iv) whose native language is sign language, without regard to country of origin or primary spoken language, including any international variation of American Sign Language; and”