Minnesota Session Laws - 1992, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1992 

                        CHAPTER 470-S.F.No. 1805 
           An act relating to human services; requiring reporting 
          of legally blind persons to Minnesota state services 
          for the blind and visually handicapped; modifying the 
          duties of the commissioner of jobs and training; 
          removing a council's expiration date; amending 
          Minnesota Statutes 1990, sections 248.07, subdivisions 
          1 and 5; and 248.10, subdivision 2; proposing coding 
          for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 248. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [248.011] [REPORTING OF NEWLY BLINDED 
INDIVIDUAL.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [DUTY TO REPORT.] Whenever an 
ophthalmologist or optometrist makes an initial diagnosis of 
legal blindness as defined in section 256D.35, subdivision 4a, 
the ophthalmologist or optometrist shall advise the client that 
services are available through Minnesota state services for the 
blind and visually handicapped.  After obtaining client consent, 
the ophthalmologist or optometrist shall report the name of the 
legally blind client to Minnesota state services for the blind 
and visually handicapped.  The report must be filed with 
Minnesota state services for the blind and visually handicapped 
within 30 days following a diagnosis of legal blindness after 
obtaining client consent. 
    Subd. 2.  [DUTIES OF MINNESOTA STATE SERVICES FOR THE BLIND 
AND VISUALLY HANDICAPPED.] Upon receipt of the name of a legally 
blind individual, Minnesota state services for the blind and 
visually handicapped shall contact the newly blind individual 
within 30 days and provide a complete summary of available 
services to the blind individual, in media accessible to the 
individual. 
    Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 248.07, 
subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
    Subdivision 1.  [COOPERATION.] It shall be the duty of the 
commissioner of jobs and training, referred to in this section 
and sections 248.10 and 248.11 as the commissioner, to develop 
and administer programs serving the needs of blind and visually 
handicapped persons and to cooperate with state and local boards 
and agencies both public and private.  The commissioner shall 
create a distinct organizational unit to be known as the 
division of services for the blind and visually handicapped, 
separate from the vocational rehabilitation unit and with its 
own activity budget, within the department of jobs and training 
to provide and coordinate services to the blind. 
    Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 248.07, 
subdivision 5, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 5.  [AIDS.] The commissioner shall further be 
empowered to aid the blind:  (1) By home instruction and 
training; (2) by assisting them in securing tools, appliances, 
and supplies; (3) by any other practicable means of improving 
their social, economic, or educational condition; and (4) by 
providing to eligible persons, or purchasing for sale at cost 
plus handling charges, special materials and supplies needed by 
blind or visually handicapped persons that are difficult to 
obtain elsewhere; and (5) by promoting literacy and access to 
print materials through production of alternative reading 
formats such as Braille, audio tapes, radio signals, newspaper 
reading services, and other services originating from the 
division's communication center.  Equipment may be leased or 
sold under written rehabilitation plans at cost plus handling 
charges to persons who wish to lease or purchase them.  Receipts 
under this subdivision, as well as gifts to aid the blind, are 
subject to section 268.0121, subdivision 5. 
    Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1990, section 248.10, 
subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
    Subd. 2.  [REMOVAL; VACANCIES; EXPIRATION.] The 
compensation, removal of members, and filling of vacancies on 
the council are as provided in section 15.0575.  The council 
expires on June 30, 1993. 
    Presented to the governor April 14, 1992 
    Signed by the governor April 17, 1992, 9:50 a.m.