KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Alaska

SB127 • 2026

EDUCATION FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS

An Act relating to the education of visually impaired students in public schools.

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON BY REQUEST
Last action
2025-03-12
Official status
(S) EDC
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about teacher training programs beyond mentioning in-person training assistance.

Education for Visually Impaired Students

This act requires public schools in Alaska to include braille instruction in the education plans of visually impaired students and provides additional special materials or services.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires that when making a plan for a student with visual impairment, the school must consider teaching them to read and write using braille unless it's clear that other methods are better suited.
  • Adds new rules for schools to provide extra help like special materials or services for visually impaired students aged 3 to 21 years old.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Visually impaired students in public schools
  • Teachers and staff working with visually impaired students

Terms To Know

braille
A system of raised dots that allows people who are blind or have low vision to read and write.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify when the new rules will start.
  • It is unclear how much funding will be provided for these changes.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-12 491

    (S) REFERRED TO EDUCATION

  2. 2025-03-12 491

    (S) EDC, FIN

  3. 2025-03-12 491

    (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Official Summary Text

EDUCATION FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED STUDENTS
An Act relating to the education of visually impaired students in public schools.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SB0127A -1- SB 127
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

34-LS0138\A

SENATE BILL NO. 127

IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA

THIRTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION

BY SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON BY REQUEST

Introduced: 3/12/25
Referred: Education, Finance

A BILL

FOR AN ACT ENTITLED

"An Act relating to the education of visually impaired students in public schools." 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 2
* Section 1. AS 14.30.278 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 3
(d) When developing an individua lized education program for a student with 4
visual impairment, the school dis trict shall presume that profi ciency in literacy is 5
essential for the student to m eet the student's annual educatio n goals. An 6
individualized education program for a student with visual impa irment must include 7
braille instruction unless it is determined while developing th e individualized 8
education plan that other special education services are more a ppropriate to the 9
student's educational needs; how ever, the provision of other ap propriate services does 10
not preclude the provision of braille instruction. 11
* Sec. 2. AS 14.30.630 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 12
(c) The agency, in cooperation with the department and school districts, shall 13
administer a program of special education services, in addition to the special education 14
services provided by the public school system, that is designed to meet the educational 15
34-LS0138\A
SB 127 -2- SB0127A
New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]

needs of visually impaired children who are at least three year s of age but less than 22 1
years of age. The program may provide special materials or serv ices and employ 2
teachers who are not assigned to a specific classroom or specia l education teachers for 3
visually impaired students. The a gency shall assist the departm ent and school districts 4
with in-person training in braille for currently employed teach ers of students who are 5
visually impaired. 6
* Sec. 3. AS 14.60.010 is amended by adding a new paragraph to read: 7
(11) "braille" means the system of reading and writing through touch, 8
which is commonly known as Standard English Braille, Grade 2. 9