A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying requirements to bring awareness of library services
for blind and print disabled persons; amending Minnesota Statutes 2022, section
134.31, subdivision 6; Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 134.31,
subdivision 4a.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Statutes 2023 Supplement, section 134.31, subdivision 4a, is amended
to read:
new text begin (a) new text end The Minnesota
Department of Education shall provide specialized services to people with visual and physical
disabilities through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library under a cooperative
plan with the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled of the Library of
Congress.
new text begin
(b) The Department of Education is responsible for bringing awareness of services for
blind and print disabled persons and is encouraged to develop an online, fully accessible
website for statewide resources, services, and information available to blind and print
disabled persons, and assurances to maintain updated documents and publications. The
Department of Education must consult with the Department of Employment and Economic
Development regarding vocational rehabilitation services and state services for the blind,
visually impaired, and deafblind to facilitate the achievement of vocational and personal
independence, including braille, audio, and e-text and large print transcription services. The
Department of Education must consult with the Department of Health, the Department of
Human Services, and other departments and state agencies to provide additional awareness
of resources for blind and print disabled persons.
new text end
Minnesota Statutes 2022, section 134.31, subdivision 6, is amended to read:
new text begin (a) new text end The commissioner shall appoint an advisory committee
of five members to advise the staff of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library on
long-range plans and library services. Members shall be people who use the library. Section
15.059 governs this committee.
new text begin
(b) The advisory committee must consult with the Department of Education in advising
on bringing awareness of the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library to blind and print
disabled persons.
new text end