Auditory-oral education programs; Bridge to Speech Program.

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Auditory-oral education program” means a program that develops and relies solely on listening skills and uses an implant or assistive hearing device for the purpose of relying on speech and spoken language skills as the method of communication and uses faculty and supervisors certified as listening and spoken language specialists each day the child is in attendance.

(b) “Deaf or hard of hearing” means aided or unaided hearing loss that affects the processing of linguistic information and adversely affects performance in the educational environment. The degree of loss may range from mild to profound in accordance with criteria established by rule of the State Board of Education.

(c) “School” means a public or private school located in this state which can teach children who have obtained an implant or assistive hearing device, using faculty certified as listening and spoken language specialists.

(2) The parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing and who meets the following requirements may enroll the child in an auditory-oral education program as a school of choice pursuant to s. 1002.20. Such child may continue attending the school and complete the development of listening and spoken language skills at the school. In order to enroll and attend, the child must:

(a) Have received an implant or assistive hearing device;

(b) Be between the ages of 3 and 7 years, or between the ages of 2 and 7 years when the school district elects to serve children with disabilities who are under the age of 3 years; and

(c) Be a resident of the state.

(3) The level of services shall be determined by the individual educational plan team or individualized family support plan team, which includes the child’s parent in accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education and a certified listening and spoken language specialist from the family’s chosen program. A child is eligible for services under this section until the end of the school year in which he or she reaches the age of 7 years or after grade 2, whichever comes first.

(4) Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, a school district shall add four special consideration points to the calculation of a matrix of services for a student who is deaf and enrolled in an auditory-oral education program.

(5) As authorized by and consistent with funding appropriated in the General Appropriations Act, the Bridge to Speech Program is created to fund auditory-oral education programs required at schools pursuant to this section. Funds shall be provided at the level of the published tuition rates up to the funds available as provided in the General Appropriations Act. The Department of Education must award these funds to eligible recipients no later than September 1 of each year, with subsequent payments monthly thereafter.