Sec. 3. Targeted need area certificate; exceptions for prelingually deaf applicants. Until the Department of Education adopts revised rules under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 13011, subsection 9, the Department of Education may issue a 2nd targeted need area certificate to a prelingually deaf applicant provided that the applicant can show evidence of having attempted the Pre- professional Skills Test during the first year of holding the targeted need area certificate. A prelingually deaf applicant may also be issued a 3rd targeted need area certificate provided that the applicant can show evidence of having attempted the Pre- professional Skills Test during the 2nd year of holding the targeted need area certificate.

It is the intent of the Legislature that, in the Department of Education's proceeding with the filing of the revised rule for the remaining portions of Chapter 115: Certification, Authorization and Approval of Education Personnel, the department shall consider the concerns raised by the Superintendent of the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and advocates for teachers of the deaf who are prelingually deaf regarding the need for accommodations for prelingually deaf applicants for targeted need area certificates.