CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2021–2022 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 518

Introduced by Senator Laird

February 17, 2021

An act to amend Section 19503 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to public social services.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 518, as introduced, Laird. Orientation centers for the blind.
Existing law authorizes the Department of Rehabilitation to establish orientation centers for the blind as may be deemed necessary to provide, on a statewide basis, services for personal and vocational training for blind persons. Existing law requires the director to appoint an administrator for each orientation center for the blind to administer and supervise the program at the center.
This bill would make a technical, nonsubstantive change to that provision.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 19503 of the Welfare and Institutions Code is amended to read:

19503.
 The Director of Rehabilitation shall appoint an administrator for each orientation center for the blind who shall to administer and supervise the program at the center in accordance with this article and under the supervision of the Director of Rehabilitation. director. The administrator of each orientation center for the blind shall be either a sighted or visually handicapped person and shall have all of the following minimum qualifications:
(a) Four years of full time, paid experience working in a program for the education or rehabilitation of adults who are legally blind, with emphasis on nonvisual living techniques, including, but not limited to, daily living, mobility, and communication skills. At least two years’ experience shall have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.
(b) Proficiency in Braille as a second language.
(c) Education equivalent to graduation from college with a bachelor’s degree. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.