HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	834
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to american sign language.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that at least a dozen states have enacted laws that recognize American Sign Language, or ASL, as a distinct language with its own rules, structure, and cultural heritage. Act 152, Session Laws of Hawaii 2016, which recognized ASL as a world language for public school language requirement purposes, was an important first step, and this Act aims to advance the understanding and acknowledgement that ASL is a discrete language and not merely signed English.

The purpose of this Act is to recognize ASL as a fully developed, autonomous, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural heritage.

SECTION 2. Chapter 1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§1-   American Sign Language. American Sign Language is recognized as a fully developed, autonomous, natural language with its own distinct grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural heritage."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Deaf and Blind Task Force; American Sign Language; Recognition

Description:

Recognizes American Sign Language as a fully developed, autonomous, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural heritage.

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