(a) The Commission on Teacher Credentialing shall develop criteria to verify the proficiency of a holder of a credential issued under Section 44265.8 in performing the essential functions of his or her position.

(b) The school district, county office of education, or state special school that employs a holder of a credential issued under Section 42265.8 shall appoint a three-person panel to verify proficiency using the criteria the commission develops for this purpose. The panel shall report its findings to the employing school district, county office of education, or state special school, which may adopt those findings.

(c) The panel appointed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall consist of the following:

(1) A school administrator who is selected by school administrators of the employing school district, county office of education, or state special school.

(2) An individual who is the parent of a deaf or hard-of-hearing pupil and who is selected by a school-related parent group.

(3) A teacher or school services provider who holds a credential to teach or service deaf or hard-of-hearing pupils and who is selected by teachers at the employing school.

(d) The employing school district, county office of education, or state special school shall ensure that the panel completes the verification of proficiency within two years after the issuance of the credential issued under Section 44265.8.

(e) Upon verification of proficiency, as documented by the employing school district, county office of education, or state special school, the commission shall issue a credential for the remainder of the preliminary period pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 44251 that is limited to providing the instruction authorized by the credential to deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils enrolled in state special schools or in special classes, or a services credential for the remainder of the preliminary period that is limited to the provision of services authorized by the credential for deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils enrolled in state special schools or in special classes.

(f) Upon meeting the requirements for a professional clear teaching or services credential, the applicant may apply through their commission-approved professional clear program sponsor for a professional clear credential that is limited to providing the instruction or service authorized by the credential to deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils enrolled in state special schools or in special classes.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 94, Sec. 6. (AB 1709) Effective January 1, 2017.)