Maryland § 15-106.10

§ 15-106.10.

    (a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

        (2)    “Deaf or hard of hearing child” means a minor who has hearing loss as determined through a universal newborn hearing screening under § 19–308.5 of the Health – General Article or a similar screening.

        (3)    “Language or communication mode” means the method that a parent or legal guardian chooses to communicate with their deaf or hard of hearing child, including:

            (i)    American Sign Language, as defined in § 7–702 of the Human Services Article;

            (ii)    Cued speech, which is a system of handshapes and positions that, when combined with the mouth movements of speech, visually represent the phonemes of spoken language; and

            (iii)    Listening and spoken language, in which infants and young children with hearing loss are taught to listen and talk with support from hearing technology, such as hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or cochlear implants.

        (4)    “Tuition” means the charges imposed by a public institution of higher education for enrollment in a course that teaches a language or communication mode at the institution, including charges for registration and all fees for enrolling in the course.

    (b)    A parent of a deaf or hard of hearing child:

        (1)    May take one course that teaches a language or communication mode at an institution of higher education; and

        (2)    Is exempt from paying tuition at a public institution of higher education for the course.