HB 1088 -- BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS; UTILITY BILLS

The Division of Special Education must conduct a statewide
literacy study of blind students and report its findings and
recommendations, as well as its progress in implementing
recommendations, to the Governor and General Assembly by
December 1 of each year.

Effective August 28, 1999, utility companies must provide bills
in Braille or large type upon request.

HB 1088 -- LITERACY STUDY OF BLIND STUDENTS (Boucher)

The Division of Special Education must conduct a statewide
literacy study of blind students and report its findings and
recommendations, as well as its progress in implementing
recommendations, to the Governor and General Assembly by
December 1 of each year.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1088 -- LITERACY STUDY OF BLIND STUDENTS

SPONSOR:  Boucher

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Education-Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 22
to 0.

The Division of Special Education must conduct a statewide
literacy study of blind students and report its findings and
recommendations, as well as its progress in implementing
recommendations, to the Governor and General Assembly by
December 1 of each year.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is substantially the
same as last year's SCR 23, which requested the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education to perform a literacy study
of blind students and resulted in inadequate information.  Most
of the data about literacy of the blind and partially sighted is
anecdotal; no infrastructure for data collection exists.  Good
data will lead to better services.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Boucher; De' Al
Mohamed, University of Missouri student; and Missouri Assistive
Technology.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Legislative Analyst

HB 1088 -- Literacy Study of Blind Students

Sponsor:  Boucher

The Division of Special Education must conduct a statewide
literacy study of blind students and report its findings and
recommendations, as well as its progress in implementing
recommendations, to the Governor and General Assembly by
December 1 of each year.