Bill Text: GA HB662 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act; enact
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - House Second Readers [HB662 Detail]
Download: Georgia-2011-HB662-Introduced.html
11 LC 33
4039
House
Bill 662
By:
Representatives Manning of the
32nd
and Reece of the
11th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to educational programs, so as to enact the "Blind
Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act"; to provide definitions; to
require an evaluation of a blind or visually impaired child to determine such
child's need for Braille instruction; to require Braille instruction in the
individualized education program of a blind or visually impaired student; to
provide requirements for textbook publishers relating to Braille instructional
materials; to provide license requirements relating to Braille for certain
teachers; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for
other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Part
3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to educational programs, is amended by adding a new Code
section to read as follows:
"20-2-152.2.
(a)
This Code section may be cited as the 'Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights
and Education Act.'
(b)
For purposes of this Code section, the term:
(1)
'Blind or visually impaired child' means an individual who is eligible for
special education services pursuant to Code Section 20-2-152 and the federal
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1400, et seq.
and who:
(A)
Has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the stronger eye with correcting lenses
or has a limited field of vision such that the widest diameter subtends an
angular distance of no greater than 20 degrees; or
(B)
Has a medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration.
(2)
'Braille' means the system of reading and writing through touch commonly known
as standard English Braille.
(3)
'Individualized education program' or 'IEP' and 'IEP team' have the meanings
contained in section 614(d) of the federal Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1414(d).
(4)
'Textbooks and other instructional materials' means any literary or nonliterary
works obtained for use in a course of study, including texts in electronic
media.
(c)
In developing the individualized education program for a student who is a blind
or visually impaired child, provision shall be made for instruction in Braille
and the use of Braille based on the outcome of an evaluation by a teacher
certified by the Professional Standards Commission as a special education visual
impairments program teacher. Such evaluation shall include the child's reading
and writing skills, his or her specific needs, and appropriate reading and
writing media and an evaluation of the child's future need for instruction in
Braille or the use of Braille. Nothing in this Code section shall be construed
to require the use of Braille if other special education services are
appropriate to the child's educational needs. The provision of other
appropriate services shall not preclude Braille use or instruction.
(d)
The instruction in Braille reading and writing included in the individualized
education program shall be sufficient to enable each blind or visually impaired
child to communicate effectively and efficiently with the same level of
proficiency expected of the child's peers of comparable ability and grade level
who communicate with print and in writing. The child's individualized education
program shall specify:
(1)
The outcomes obtained from the evaluation required under subsection (c) of this
Code section;
(2)
How Braille will be implemented as the primary mode for learning through
integration with other classroom activities unless other special education
services are appropriate to the child's educational needs;
(3)
The date on which Braille instruction will commence unless other special
education services are appropriate to the child's educational
needs;
(4)
The length of the period of instruction and the frequency and duration of each
instructional session; and
(5)
For those children for whom Braille instruction is not indicated, the IEP shall
include a statement that the absence of Braille instruction will not impair the
child's ability to read and write effectively.
(e)
All publishers of textbooks and other instructional materials sold to any local
board of education in this state shall be required to furnish an electronic
version.
(f)
On and after July 1, 2014, the Professional Standards Commission shall not issue
or renew a license to teach academic instruction to blind or visually impaired
children unless the educator has, as part of his or her standard renewal
requirements:
(1)
Completed a course in the teaching of Braille approved by the
commission;
(2)
Demonstrated competence in reading and writing Braille by holding a nationally
recognized certificate in Braille approved by the commission; or
(3)
Passed a test in Braille approved by the
commission."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.