HF 3851

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to education; including blindness within the definition of disability;
directing the education commissioner to incorporate references to blindness
into the definition of "visually impaired" in rule; amending Minnesota Statutes
2004, section 125A.02, subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 125A.02, subdivision 1, is amended to
read:

Subdivision 1.

Child with a disability.

Every child who has a hearing impairment,
new text begin blindness, new text end visual disability, speech or language impairment, physical handicap, other
health impairment, mental handicap, emotional/behavioral disorder, specific learning
disability, autism, traumatic brain injury, multiple disabilities, or deaf/blind disability and
needs special instruction and services, as determined by the standards of the commissioner,
is a child with a disability. In addition, every child under age three, and at local district
discretion from age three to age seven, who needs special instruction and services, as
determined by the standards of the commissioner, because the child has a substantial delay
or has an identifiable physical or mental condition known to hinder normal development is
a child with a disability.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin RULE ON VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO INCLUDE REFERENCES TO
"BLIND" AND "BLINDNESS."
new text end

new text begin The commissioner of education, where appropriate, must incorporate references to
"blind" and "blindness" into the definition of visually impaired under Minnesota Rules,
part 3525.1345, and amend the rule title to include the word "blind."
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end