SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5083

BYSenators Smith and Bailey

Clarifying appropriate instruction in braille for blind students.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 19, 1989; January 26, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

                  January 27, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1989; February 6, 1990

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5083 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Talmadge, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Ken Kanikeberg (786-7715)

                  February 7, 1990

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The federal Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-142) requires that states accepting federal funds provide for a free and appropriate public education for all handicapped children in the least restrictive environment.  The federal law requires that related services needed to assist a handicapped child to benefit from special education be provided.  Handicapped children in Washington must have the opportunity for an appropriate education at public expense, as provided in the Education for All Act enacted in 1971 and guaranteed by the Constitution of this state.

SUMMARY:

An appropriate education for students who are visually impaired and are legally blind includes instruction in braille.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The mandatory provision of braille instruction for students who are visually-impaired and legally blind is eliminated.

The board of directors for the school district is required to adopt policies governing the provision of instruction in braille to students who are visually-impaired and legally blind.

Policies shall provide for instruction in braille unless such instruction is determined not appropriate for the student.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: EDUCATION:  FOR:  Michael Freeman, National Federation of the Blind; Doug Trimbel, National Federation of the Blind; Ruby Ryles, "Parents of Blind Children"; Ben Prows, National Federation of the Blind

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  FOR:  Ben Prows, National Federation of the Blind; Denise Mackenstadt, Northwest Parents of Blind Children; Mary Fitzgerald, Snohomish School District; Sharon Houge, Snohomish School District