Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB522 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	S.B. No. 522
	1	+	By: Zaffirini, et al. S.B. No. 522
	2	+	(Sanford)
2	3
3	4
	5	+	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
4	6		AN ACT
5	7		relating to the development of an individualized education program
6	8		for a public school student with a visual impairment.
7	9		BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
8	10		SECTION 1. Section 30.002, Education Code, is amended by
9	11		amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (f-1) to read as
10	12		follows:
11	13		(f) In the development of the individualized education
12	14		program for a [functionally blind] student with a visual
13	15		impairment, proficiency in [braille] reading and writing is a
14	16		significant indicator of [presumed to be essential for] the
15	17		student's satisfactory educational progress. The individualized
16	18		education program for a student with a visual impairment must
17	19		include instruction in [Each functionally blind student is entitled
18	20		to] braille and the use of braille unless the student's admission,
19	21		review, and dismissal committee determines and documents that
20	22		braille is not an appropriate literacy medium for the student. The
21	23		committee's determination must be based on an evaluation of the
22	24		student's appropriate literacy media and literacy skills and the
23	25		student's current and future instructional needs [reading and
24	26		writing instruction that is sufficient to enable the student to
25	27		communicate with the same level of proficiency as other students of
26	28		comparable ability who are at the same grade level]. Braille
27	29		instruction:
28	30		(1) may be used in combination with other special
29	31		education services appropriate to the student's educational needs;
30	32		and
31	33		(2) shall be provided by a teacher certified to teach
32	34		students with visual impairments[. The assessment of each
33	35		functionally blind student for the purpose of developing the
34	36		student's individualized education program must include
35	37		documentation of the student's strengths and weaknesses in braille
36	38		skills].
37	39		(f-1) Each person assisting in the development of the [a
38	40		functionally blind student's] individualized education program for
39	41		a student with a visual impairment shall receive information
40	42		describing the benefits of braille instruction. [Each functionally
41	43		blind student's individualized education program must specify the
42	44		appropriate learning medium based on the assessment report and
43	45		ensure that instruction in braille will be provided by a teacher
44	46		certified to teach students with visual impairments. For purposes
45	47		of this subsection, the agency shall determine the criteria for a
46	48		student to be classified as functionally blind.]
47	49		SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
48	50		school year.
49	51		SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
50	52		a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
51	53		provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
52	54		Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
53	55		Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
54		-	______________________________ ______________________________
55		-	President of the Senate Speaker of the House
56		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 522 passed the Senate on
57		-	April 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
58		-	______________________________
59		-	Secretary of the Senate
60		-	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 522 passed the House on
61		-	May 17, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 4,
62		-	two present not voting.
63		-	______________________________
64		-	Chief Clerk of the House
65		-	Approved:
66		-	______________________________
67		-	Date
68		-	______________________________
69		-	Governor