House Bill 960

AN ACT TO REVISE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE BLIND PERSONS' LITERACY RIGHTS AND EDUCATION ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-193, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS AND TO DEFINE ADDITIONAL TERMS USED IN THE ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-194, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS SHOULD RECEIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FROM CERTIFIED TEACHERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-195, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE EACH APPROPRIATE EDUCATIONAL ENTITY TO PROVIDE FOR INSTRUCTION IN BRAILLE AND THE USE OF BRAILLE UNLESS THE IEP COMMITTEE DETERMINES, AFTER AN EVALUATION OF THE CHILD'S NEEDS, IF INSTRUCTION IN BRAILLE OR THE USE OF BRAILLE IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR THE CHILD; TO REQUIRE ASSESSMENTS FOR STUDENTS TO INCLUDE A MINIMUM RESEARCH-BASED LEARNING MEDIA ASSESSMENT; TO PROHIBIT THE DENIAL OF INSTRUCTION IN BRAILLE TO STUDENTS WITH SOME RESIDUAL VISION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-197, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE STANDARD PROCEDURE TO BE USED BY THE IEP OR 504 TEAM THAT BRAILLE INSTRUCTION OR THE USE OF BRAILLE IS REQUIRED FOR BLIND STUDENTS; TO REQUIRE THE IEP OR 504 TEAM TO BASE ITS DECISION ON THE CURRENT ABILITY AND NEEDS AND FUTURE NEEDS OF STUDENTS, WHILE CONSIDERING THE APPROPRIATE READING AND WRITING MEDIA FOR CHILDREN WITH SOME RESIDUAL VISION; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-199, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE TEXTBOOK PUBLISHERS THAT SELL BOOKS TO MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO FURNISH AMERICAN STANDARD CODE FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE (ASCII) OR OTHER ELECTRONICALLY FORMATTED FILES COMPATIBLE WITH BRAILLE CONVERSION FOR ALL BOOKS AND SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS FOR LITERARY AND NONLITERARY SUBJECTS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROMULGATE AND PUBLISH REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCE CENTER; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS FOR SPECIALISTS IN BRAILLE WHO SERVE ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE; TO ESTABLISH THE TIME WITHIN WHICH THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION HAS TO RESPOND TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE; TO AMEND SECTION 37-23-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO RECOGNIZE BRAILLE AND ORIENTATION MOBILITY AS CORE SUBJECT AREAS FOR ALL BLIND STUDENTS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ADOPT A MINIMUM STANDARD FOR TEACHERS OF THE BLIND CERTIFIED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010; TO ESTABLISH THE METHOD FOR DETERMINING COMPETENCY IN READING AND WRITING OF LITERARY BRAILLE AND NEMETH CODE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Tom Miles

  Sponsor

• Senate committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Apr 4

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Feb 20 – Mar 15

1. Feb 20Referred to the House committee on Education
2. Mar 6Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Mar 13Read the third time in the House
4. Mar 15Committee substitute adopted in the House
5. Passed the House

In the Senate Mar 15 – Apr 4

1. Mar 15Motion in the House to reconsider entered (Byrd, Moore and Clarke)
2. Motion in the House to reconsider withdrawn
3. Mar 19Sent to the Senate
4. Mar 20Referred to the Senate committee on Education
5. Apr 3Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass as amended
6. Apr 4Amended in the Senate
7. Passed the Senate as amended

Back in the House of Representatives Apr 5 – Apr 18

1. Apr 5Returned to the House to concur in the Senate's amendments
2. Apr 13Concurred in the House in the Senate's amendments
3. Apr 18Enrolled bill signed in the Senate

To the Governor Apr 18 – Apr 24

1. Apr 18Enrolled bill signed in the House
2. Apr 24Approved by the Governor