BILL NUMBER: AB 2326	CHAPTERED  09/18/02

	CHAPTER  653
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 18, 2002
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  SEPTEMBER 17, 2002
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 28, 2002
	PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 27, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  AUGUST 5, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 23, 2002
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 16, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Frommer
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alquist, Diaz, Jackson, Koretz,
Leach, Liu, Lowenthal, Rod Pacheco, Strom-Martin, and Washington)
   (Coauthors: Senators Burton, Escutia, Kuehl, Romero, and Soto)

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2002

   An act to add Section 56351.7 to the Education Code, relating to
public schools.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 2326, Frommer.  Braille reading standards.
   Existing law requires school districts, special education local
plan areas, and county offices of education, to provide opportunities
for braille instruction for pupils who have a need for braille as a
reading medium.
   This bill would require the Superintendent of Public Instruction
to form an advisory task force, with prescribed membership approved
by the State Board of Education, to develop standards for mastery of
the braille code by pupils, and to report to the Governor and the
Legislature by June 30, 2004.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 56351.7 is added to the Education Code, to
read:
   56351.7.  (a) The Superintendent of Public Instruction shall form
an advisory task force to develop standards for the mastery of the
braille code as a child progresses through kindergarten to grade 12,
inclusive.
   (b) The task force shall include, but shall not be limited to,
members approved by the State Board of Education representing all of
the following:
   (1) Parents of visually impaired pupils.
   (2) Teachers of visually impaired pupils.
   (3) Researchers in the field of visual impairment.
   (4) Braille experts.
   (5) Groups that advocate for teaching of, and use of, braille.
   (6) Groups that advocate for the visually impaired.
   (c) The task force shall report to the Governor and to the
education committees of the Assembly and the Senate by June 30, 2004.