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GA SB409

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/21/2014

Primary Sponsor

Lester Jackson

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2013-2014 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Requires individualized education programs (IEPs) for blind or visually impaired children to include provision for Braille instruction based on an evaluation by a certified special education visual impairments teacher, assessing the child's reading/writing skills and future Braille needs
  • Defines "blind or visually impaired child" as a student eligible for special education services who has visual acuity of 20/200 or less, a field of vision no greater than 20 degrees, a medically documented expectation of visual deterioration, or current special education eligibility for visual impairments
  • Requires all publishers selling textbooks or instructional materials to Georgia local boards of education to furnish electronic versions in National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS) format to the National Instructional Materials Access Center
  • Beginning July 1, 2015, prohibits the Professional Standards Commission from issuing or renewing a teaching license for academic instruction of blind or visually impaired children unless the educator has completed an approved Braille teaching course or holds a nationally recognized Braille certificate
  • Grants teachers of blind or visually impaired children one professional learning unit or ten contact hours of credit for renewing Braille certification or teaching academic instruction to these students

Legislative Description

"Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act"; enact; blind or visually impaired child; determine need for Braille instruction

Last Action

Senate Read Second Time

2/26/2014

Full Bill Text

No bill text available