GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 1025*

Short Title:  Braille Literacy.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Representatives Nye; Adams, Alexander, Boyd-McIntyre, Braswell, Dickson, Earle, Easterling, Gardner, H. Hunter, Hurley, Watson, G. Wilson, and Yongue.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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May 4, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE A DETERMINATION OF THE APPROPRIATE READING/WRITING MEDIUM FOR EACH VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENT AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 115C-113 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 
"( i)	The comprehensive evaluation procedures for a visually impaired student shall include an evaluation to determine the appropriate reading/writing medium for the student.  This assessment shall be administered by a professional certified as a teacher of the visually impaired and shall include consideration of braille, large print, and regular print.  The assessment may lead to the determination that, rather than any one of these media, a combination of any or all is the most appropriate.  The Individualized Education Program (IEP) Committee shall consider this determination in making its decision, and its decision shall be included in the development of the student's Individualized Education Program.  If the IEP Committee determines that braille instruction is appropriate, then the local education agency shall assure that braille instruction is provided by appropriately trained persons who have demonstrated braille competency at a level consistent with standards adopted by the Library of Congress."
Sec. 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Division of Services for the Blind, Department of Human Resources, the sum of one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000) for the 1995-96 fiscal year and the sum of one hundred seventy-five thousand dollars ($175,000) for the 1996-97 fiscal year, for the cost of implementing this act, including funds to assist local education agencies to meet the requirements of this act.
Sec. 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1995.