1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to economic development; providing certification for rehabilitation 
1.3 	counselors for the blind;amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 248.07, by 
1.4 	adding a subdivision.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 248.07, is amended by adding a 
1.7 	subdivision to read:
1.8 		Subd. 14b.Certification and qualifications of rehabilitation counselors for the 
1.9 	blind. (a) No person shall provide rehabilitation counseling services for the blind or hold 
1.10 	themselves out as a qualified rehabilitation counselor for the blind unless the person is 
1.11 	certified as a rehabilitation counselor by the director of State Services for the Blind.
1.12 	(b) A rehabilitation counselor for the blind is not a mental health practitioner.
1.13 	(c) A certified rehabilitation counselor for the blind shall have, in addition to any 
1.14 	necessary education background for rehabilitation counselors in Minnesota, the following 
1.15 	qualifications:
1.16 	(1) successful completion of a minimum of six weeks of intensive training under 
1.17 	sleep shades from an adjustment-to-blindness center set forth by State Services for the 
1.18 	Blind in the contracting process; and
1.19 	(2) completion of additional appropriate training as approved by the director of 
1.20 	State Services for the Blind.
1.21 	(d) Each certified rehabilitation counselor for the blind shall, in the period since 
1.22 	the counselor's certificate was issued or last renewed, complete continuing competency 
1.23 	requirements as set forth by the director of State Services for the Blind.

2.1 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective January 1, 2011, for persons hired 
2.2 	in rehabilitation counseling for the blind after that date.