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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of the Accessible Learning Materials |
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Council. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle F, Title 2, Education Code, is amended |
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by adding Chapter 31A to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 31A. ACCESSIBLE LEARNING MATERIALS COUNCIL |
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Sec. 31A.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Accessible learning materials" means educational |
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materials for instruction and testing that are designed or |
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converted in a way that makes them usable across the widest range of |
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student variability in various formats, including print, digital, |
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graphic, audio, and video materials. |
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(2) "Council" means the Accessible Learning Materials |
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Council. |
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Sec. 31A.002. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSES. The Accessible |
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Learning Materials Council is established to: |
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(1) study issues related to improving the academic |
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success of students with disabilities using accessible learning |
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materials for instruction and accommodations on an assessment |
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instrument that will allow use of assistive technology devices or |
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software; |
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(2) make recommendations to change existing |
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requirements, law, rules, or policies to require that assistive |
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technology and accessible learning materials be available for |
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instruction and use in the administration of assessment |
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instruments; |
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(3) produce biennial reports on the status of |
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providing accessible learning materials for public school students |
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with disabilities, including accommodations used in the |
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administration of assessment instruments; and |
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(4) establish accessibility and procurement standards |
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to provide accessible learning materials for students with |
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disabilities that are as effective as materials and assessment |
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instruments provided to students without disabilities. |
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Sec. 31A.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The council is subject to |
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Chapter 325, Government Code. Unless continued in existence as |
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provided by that chapter, the council is abolished and this chapter |
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expires September 1, 2017. |
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Sec. 31A.004. COMPOSITION. The council is composed of 15 |
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members appointed by the commissioner as follows: |
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(1) one agency representative responsible for council |
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duties related to assessment instruments; |
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(2) one agency representative responsible for council |
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duties related to curriculum; |
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(3) one agency representative responsible for council |
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duties related to special education services; |
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(4) one member of the State Board of Education; |
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(5) two teachers from rural school districts who: |
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(A) have experience teaching students with |
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disabilities; and |
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(B) are certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, |
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in special education or hold a technology applications certificate |
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issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; |
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(6) two teachers from urban school districts who: |
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(A) have experience teaching students with |
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disabilities; and |
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(B) are certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, |
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in special education or hold a technology applications certificate |
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issued under Subchapter B, Chapter 21; |
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(7) the statewide accessibility coordinator of the |
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Department of Information Resources; |
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(8) one member of a nonprofit organization whose |
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primary mission relates to accessible electronic information |
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resources; |
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(9) two parents of students with disabilities who have |
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experience relating to the use of accessible learning materials; |
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(10) one assistive technology professional who is |
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certified by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive |
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Technology Society of North America; |
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(11) one electronic information resources |
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accessibility specialist who is proficient in current technology |
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and current accessible design standards; and |
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(12) one curriculum specialist from a public school |
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who has knowledge of universal design for learning. |
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Sec. 31A.005. MEETINGS. (a) The council shall meet in |
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person at least three times each year and may hold additional |
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meetings by conference call as necessary. |
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(b) Section 551.125, Government Code, applies to a meeting |
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held by conference call under this section, except that Section |
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551.125(b) does not apply. |
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Sec. 31A.006. COMPENSATION. A member of the council may not |
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receive compensation for service on the council. |
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Sec. 31A.007. DUTIES. (a) The council shall: |
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(1) study issues related to the procurement and |
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delivery of equally effective accessible learning materials and |
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assessment instruments for public school students; |
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(2) study current research and best practices related |
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to accessible learning materials and assessment instruments for |
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public school students; |
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(3) analyze the availability of accessible learning |
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materials and assessment instruments and the unmet needs of |
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students with disabilities; and |
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(4) perform other duties consistent with this chapter. |
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(b) In carrying out the council's duties under this section, |
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the council may request reports and other information related to |
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accessible learning materials and assessment instruments from the |
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agency and any other state agency. |
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Sec. 31A.008. STATEWIDE ACCESSIBLE LEARNING MATERIALS |
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PLAN; REPORT. (a) The council shall develop a comprehensive |
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statewide action plan for the provision of equally effective |
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accessible learning materials and assessment instruments for |
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public school students in this state, including a timeline for |
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implementation of the plan. |
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(b) Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, |
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the council shall submit to each house of the legislature, the |
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governor, and the agency a written report concerning: |
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(1) the status of the development or implementation of |
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the council's statewide plan, as applicable; |
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(2) any action taken toward further development or |
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implementation of the plan; |
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(3) any area that needs improvement in implementing |
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the plan; |
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(4) any recommended change to the plan; and |
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(5) programs and services that address accessible |
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learning materials and assessment instruments. |
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Sec. 31A.009. GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. The agency may |
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accept on behalf of the council a gift, grant, or donation from any |
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source to carry out the purpose of this chapter. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2013, the |
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commissioner of education shall appoint the members of the |
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Accessible Learning Materials Council in accordance with Section |
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31A.004, Education Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than November 1, 2014, the Accessible |
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Learning Materials Council shall submit the initial report required |
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under Section 31A.008, Education Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |