House Bill 1957 establishes the Tennessee Council for Research of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing Children, which will be attached to the Department of Health for administrative purposes. The council will consist of seventeen members appointed by various state officials, including the governor and the speakers of the Senate and House of Representatives. These members will include individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing, as well as parents or guardians of affected children and professionals with relevant expertise. The council is tasked with identifying and recommending assessment tools, qualifications for assessors, and protocols for reporting data on language development in children from birth to ten years of age.

The council is required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by July 1, 2029, after which it will cease to exist. The bill also includes provisions for the council to comply with open meetings and records laws, and it allows for electronic participation in meetings. Additionally, the council members will serve without compensation but will be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred while performing their official duties. The new part added to the Tennessee Code Annotated outlines the council's structure, duties, and operational guidelines, while the existing law will be amended to incorporate these changes.