Up in the Gold Room of the state Capitol, the hearing that just wrapped up featured sign language interpretation of every word uttered, for an audience that included more than a dozen deaf students. The bill that was up for hearing, SB 1316, sets standards for interpreters for the deaf in Idaho schools. It won unanimous support from the Senate Education Committee.

One mother of a deaf student who testified said parents and others have struggled to get standards established for the past decade, to ensure deaf students are adequately educated. “Ten years is an entire education for a deaf student, for any student,” Leslie Garringer told the committee. “I didn’t think we’d ever be in this room.”

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake.

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