This bill proposes several updates to the current statutes regarding braille competency for teachers of blind and visually impaired pupils. It modifies the language to replace "Assure" with "Ensure" in multiple instances, clarifying the responsibilities of the State Board of Education (SBE) in providing braille literacy assessments and educational services. The bill also specifies that teachers must demonstrate braille competency by successfully completing the National Certification in Unified English Braille (NCUEB) examination or a comparable braille test from a university-level teacher preparation program, rather than a nationally validated test when available. Additionally, it defines "braille" as the Unified English Braille Code.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision that prohibits the SBE from requiring teachers who completed their university-level teacher preparation programs before July 2016 to demonstrate braille competency until January 1, 2028. This change aims to provide a grace period for those teachers while still ensuring that new educators meet the updated competency requirements. The bill also makes technical and conforming changes to the existing statutes to align with these updates.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-214
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-214
Chaptered Version: 15-214