(a) There is hereby established within the Kansas department for children and families the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing. The commission shall:

(1) Advocate services affecting the deaf and hard of hearing in the areas of public services, health care, educational, vocational and employment opportunity;

(2) act as a bureau of information for the deaf and hard of hearing to state agencies and public institutions providing general health and mental health care, employment, vocational, and educational services, and to local agencies and programs;

(3) collect facts and statistics and other special studies of conditions affecting the health and welfare of the deaf and hard of hearing in this state;

(4) provide for a mutual exchange of ideas and information on the national, state and local levels;

(5) provide public education:

(A) Regarding best practices in language acquisition development in deaf and hard of hearing children and aural rehabilitation options; and

(B) to promote the eradication of ignorance and discrimination toward deaf and hard of hearing people in schools and employment;

(6) encourage and assist local governments in the development of programs for the deaf and hard of hearing;

(7) cooperate with public and private agencies and units of local, state and federal governments in promoting coordination in programs for the deaf and hard of hearing;

(8) provide for the social, emotional, educational and vocational needs of the deaf and hard of hearing and their families;

(9) serve as an advisory board to the governor and legislature on the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing by preparing an annual report that reviews the status of all state services to the deaf and hard of hearing within Kansas, and to recommend priorities for the development and coordination of services to the deaf and hard of hearing; and

(10) make recommendations for needed improvements, and serve as an advisory board in regard to new legislation affecting the deaf and hard of hearing.

(b) The commission may:

(1) Develop and oversee programs concerning interpreters, interpreter service agencies, and communication access services;

(2) become a member of or affiliate with any professional organization related to the powers, duties and functions of the commission; and

(3) undertake any and all other acts as may be necessary for the performance of the commission’s powers, duties and functions in the administration of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 75-4355a through 75-4355d, and amendments thereto, and Kan. Stat. Ann. 2023 Supp. 75-5393a through 75-5393d and 75-5397f, and amendments thereto.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by this act, all budgeting, purchasing and related management functions of the Kansas commission for the deaf and hard of hearing shall be administered by the secretary for children and families. Within the limitations of available appropriations, the secretary for children and families shall provide additional clerical and other assistance as may be required for the commission. The executive director shall report directly to the deputy secretary or secretary for administrative purposes only.