By: Zaffirini, Lucio S.B. No. 522
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of an individualized education program
for a public school student with a visual impairment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 30.002, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (f-1) to read as
follows:
(f) In the development of the individualized education
program for a [functionally blind] student with a visual
impairment, proficiency in [braille] reading and writing is a
significant indicator of [presumed to be essential for] the
student's satisfactory educational progress. The individualized
education program for a student with a visual impairment must
include instruction in [Each functionally blind student is entitled
to] braille and the use of braille unless the student's admission,
review, and dismissal committee determines and documents that
braille is not an appropriate literacy medium for the student. The
committee's determination must be based on an evaluation of the
student's appropriate literacy media and literacy skills and the
student's current and future instructional needs [reading and
writing instruction that is sufficient to enable the student to
communicate with the same level of proficiency as other students of
comparable ability who are at the same grade level]. Braille
instruction:
(1) may be used in combination with other special
education services appropriate to the student's educational needs;
and
(2) shall be provided by a teacher certified to teach
students with visual impairments[. The assessment of each
functionally blind student for the purpose of developing the
student's individualized education program must include
documentation of the student's strengths and weaknesses in braille
skills].
(f-1) Each person assisting in the development of the [a
functionally blind student's] individualized education program for
a student with a visual impairment shall receive information
describing the benefits of braille instruction. [Each functionally
blind student's individualized education program must specify the
appropriate learning medium based on the assessment report and
ensure that instruction in braille will be provided by a teacher
certified to teach students with visual impairments. For purposes
of this subsection, the agency shall determine the criteria for a
student to be classified as functionally blind.]
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.