TCA § 71-4-2102 — Creation of the Tennessee council for the deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing

Effective July 1, 2013, there is hereby created the Tennessee council for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing, which has the duty to: Advocate services affecting people who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing in the areas of public services, health care, education, vocational training, employment opportunity, emergency services, resource sharing and communication; Act as a bureau of information for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing to state agencies and public institutions providing health care, employment, vocational, educational services, resource sharing, and emergency services to the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing, and to local agencies and programs; Collect facts and statistics and other special studies of conditions affecting the health and welfare of people who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing in this state; Provide for a mutual exchange of ideas and information on the national, state, and local levels; Encourage and assist local governments and agencies in the development of programs for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing; Cooperate with public and private agencies and units of local, state, and federal governments in promoting coordination in programs for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing; Authorize the executive director to prepare an annual report and needs assessment to the council that reviews the status of state services for the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing. The council shall submit the approved report and needs assessment to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives and make this report available to organizations serving the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing; and Make recommendations for needed improvements and to serve as an advisory body in regard to new legislation affecting the deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing.