# § 4360. National study on the education of the deaf
**(a)** **Conduct of study**
**(1)** **In general** The Secretary shall establish a commission on the education of the deaf (in this section referred to as the “commission”) to conduct a national study on the education of the deaf, to identify education-related barriers to successful postsecondary education experiences and employment for individuals who are deaf, and those education-related factors that contribute to successful postsecondary education experiences and employment for individuals who are deaf.
**(2)** **Definition** In this section the term “deaf”, when used with respect to an individual, means an individual with a hearing impairment, including an individual who is hard of hearing, an individual deafened later in life, and an individual who is profoundly deaf.
**(b)** **Public input and consultation**
**(1)** **In general** In conducting such study, the commission shall obtain input from the public. To obtain such input, the commission shall—
**(A)** publish a notice with an opportunity for comment in the Federal Register;
**(B)** consult with individuals and organizations representing a wide range of perspectives on deafness-related issues, including organizations representing individuals who are deaf, parents of children who are deaf, educators, and researchers; and
**(C)** take such other action as the commission deems appropriate, which may include holding public meetings.
**(2)** **Structured opportunities** The commission shall provide structured opportunities to receive and respond to the viewpoints of the individuals and organizations described in paragraph (1)(B).
**(c)** **Report** The commission shall report to the Secretary and Congress not later than 18 months after August 14, 2008, regarding the results of the study. The report shall contain—
**(1)** recommendations relating to educated-related factors that contribute to successful postsecondary education experiences and employment for individuals who are deaf, including recommendations for legislation, that the commission deems appropriate; and
**(2)** a detailed summary of the input received under subsection (b) and the ways in which the report addresses such input.
**(d)** **Authorization of appropriations** There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 and 2010 to carry out the provisions of this section.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 99–371, title II, § 211, as added Pub. L. 105–244, title IX, § 924, Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1832; amended Pub. L. 110–315, title IX, § 913, Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3455.)
## Editorial Notes
### Prior Provisions
A prior section 4360, , formerly title IV, § 411, , ; renumbered title II, § 211, and amended , §§ 101(b)(5), (6), 140, 151(a)(4), , , 2163, 2164; , , , authorized appropriations for this chapter, prior to repeal by , title IX, § 923, , , 1832, effective . See .
### Amendments
2008—Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted “establish a commission on the education of the deaf (in this section referred to as the ‘commission’) to” after “The Secretary shall”.
Subsec. (b). , substituted “commission” for “Secretary” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (c). , in introductory provisions, substituted “commission shall report to the Secretary and Congress not later than 18 months after ” for “Secretary shall report to Congress not later than 18 months after ”.
Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “recommendations relating to educated-related factors that contribute to successful postsecondary education experiences and employment for individuals who are deaf, including” for “recommendations, including” and “commission” for “Secretary”.
Subsec. (d). , substituted “such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 and 2010” for “$1,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1999 and 2000”.
## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
### Effective Date
Section effective , except as otherwise provided in , see , set out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under .