HB 1977 Summary

• Establishes state policy to promote braille literacy and requires individualized education programs (IEPs) for eligible blind students to include braille instruction and instructional materials unless the IEP team determines they are not necessary.

• Requires detailed documentation in IEPs that include braille instruction, such as assessment results, instruction start dates, frequency, duration, performance goals, and how braille skills will be incorporated into general education.

• Requires IEPs that exclude braille instruction to document the student's visual condition, ability to achieve grade-level reading and writing proficiency without braille, assessment tools used, and date of next literacy assessment (not to exceed 12 months).

• Directs the Department of Education to establish and maintain a braille literacy resource center to advocate for braille literacy, obtain instructional materials, award grants or contracts for braille transcription services, register eligible blind students, and provide information to parents and students.

• Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support in-state braille transcription services, with the Department of Education required to include necessary funding in its annual budget requests beginning in fiscal year 2025-2026.