ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 871 (Substitute for House Bill No. 391 by Representative Marino)
BY REPRESENTATIVES MARINO, BRASS, FREEMAN, FREIBERG, PRESSLY,
SCHEXNAYDER, WRIGHT, BISHOP, AND PHELPS
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:7(11)(d)(i) and 2112(B), relative to screening and
3 intervention for students; to redefine the term dyslexia for purposes of testing
4 students for dyslexia and providing services to students with dyslexia; and to provide
5 for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:7(11)(d)(i) and 2112(B) are hereby amended and reenacted to
8 read as follows:
9 §7. Duties, functions, and responsibilities of board
10 In addition to the authorities granted by R.S. 17:6 and any powers, duties, and
11 responsibilities vested by any other applicable laws, the board shall:
12 * * *
13 (11)
14 * * *
15 (d) For the purposes of this Paragraph:
16 (i) "Dyslexia" shall be defined as a language processing disorder which may
17 be manifested by difficulty processing expressive or receptive, oral or written
18 language despite adequate intelligence, educational exposure, and cultural
19 opportunity. Specific manifestations may occur in one or more areas, including
20 difficulty with the alphabet, reading comprehension, writing, and spelling. an
21 unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HB NO. 871 ENROLLED
1 much better reader, most commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological
2 processing, which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell.
3 "Phonological processing" means the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken
4 and written language.
5 * * *
6 §2112. Testing pupils' sight and hearing; testing for dyslexia; notice to parent or
7 tutor; report to state superintendent
8 * * *
9 B. For purposes of this Section, "dyslexia" shall be defined as difficulty with
10 the alphabet, reading, reading comprehension, writing, and spelling in spite of
11 adequate intelligence, exposure, and cultural opportunity. an unexpected difficulty
12 in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader, most
13 commonly caused by a difficulty in phonological processing, which affects the
14 ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell. "Phonological processing" means
15 the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken and written language.
16 * * *
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.