HB2150--BRITEACT
SPONSOR: Shields
Thisbillestablishesthe"BlindStudents'RightstoIndependence,
Training,andEducationAct"orthe"BRITEAct".
Thebillprovidesdefinitionsfor"accessibleassistivetechnology
device","adequateinstruction",and"nonvisualaccessandskills"
amongotherdefinitions.
Thebillrequiresblindchildrenandvisuallyimpairedstudentsto
haveanIndividualized EducationPlan,(IEP)orIndividualized
FamilySupportPlan(IFSP)thatshallspecifyresultsobtainedfrom
evaluationsonreadingandwritingskills,andshouldincludethe
needforinstructioninBrailleortheuseofBraille. All
instructioninBraillereadingandwritingshallbesufficientto
allowastudenttoeffectivelyandefficientlycommunicateatan
appropriateagelevel.
Thebillincludesadditionalguidancefortheinstructionof
Brailleandtheuseofnonvisualaccessibleassistivetechnology.
Thebillprovidesdirectiontoschooldistrictsregarding
accessibleassistivetechnologyandrequiresaschooldistrictto
provideduplicativeaccessibleassistivetechnologytobeusedina
blindstudent'shomewithoutrequiringpaymentorfamilyassumption
ofliabilityforlossordamage.
Thebillrequiresdistrictstoperformanorientationandmobility
evaluationtobeconductedbycertifiedindividualsandprovides
guidanceontheinstructionfororientationandmobility,and
districtsmaynotlimitastudentsinstructioninthehome,school,
orcommunityandprovidetransportation inthepreferredmodeof
theinstructor.
ThebillrequireseducatorshiredtoteachBraille,accessible
assistivetechnology,andorientationandmobility,toholdavalid
certificateasoutlinedinthebill.Thebillrequiresschool
districtstocomplywiththeIndividualswithDisabilities
EducationAct(IDEA)evenduringdeclaredemergencies,tobearthe
costofanyrequiredeyereport,andtodevelopnonvisual
accessibilitypoliciestoreduceoreliminatecommonbarriersfor
blindindividuals
ThisbillissimilartoHB1381(2021).