HB1376: HB1376 Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Act; enact

Georgia currently runs vocational rehabilitation services for blind and visually impaired residents through the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, but there is no dedicated advisory body focused on those services. This bill would add a new article to the agency's chapter of Georgia law creating the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, made up of representatives from consumer organizations, the deaf-blind community, blind or visually impaired service users, a parent of a blind or visually impaired child, and staff from the agency and the Department of Education. The commission would appoint an executive director, meet quarterly, and advise the agency on things like Braille instruction certification, library services, business enterprise programs, and technology accessibility. It would also publish an annual report on how well the state is meeting the needs of blind and visually impaired residents, and the agency would have to consult the commission before establishing, revising, or discontinuing related programs. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it becomes law without his signature.

• Creates the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired as a new body within the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency's governing chapter of law.
• Sets the commission's membership at seven seats, including consumer organization representatives, a deaf-blind community member, a parent of a blind or visually impaired child, and agency staff.
• Requires the commission to appoint an executive director with rehabilitation experience, giving hiring preference to a blind or visually impaired candidate.
• Directs the commission to advise the agency on programs like Braille certification, library services for the blind, and accessible technology purchasing.
• Requires the commission to publish an annual report evaluating how well state programs serve blind or visually impaired Georgians.
• Requires the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to consult the commission before starting, changing, or ending any program serving blind or visually impaired people.

The bill affects the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and its staff, the Department of Education, nonprofit organizations serving the blind and visually impaired, and Georgians who are blind or visually impaired, including their parents and guardians, who rely on state vocational rehabilitation, library, and accessibility services.

Georgians who are blind or visually impaired would gain a formal advisory body with a direct voice in shaping state services, from Braille certification to accessible technology purchasing. The agency would be legally required to check with this commission before changing relevant programs, giving affected residents more structured input.

• Section 1 titles the bill the 'Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Act.'
• New Code Section 49-9-50 defines 'blind or visually impaired' using a visual acuity or visual field standard and defines 'commission.'
• New Code Section 49-9-51 sets the commission's seven-member composition, requires quarterly meetings, and provides for a chairperson and expense reimbursement for citizen members.
• New Code Section 49-9-52 requires the commission to appoint an executive director experienced in rehabilitation services, with hiring preference for a blind or visually impaired candidate.
• New Code Section 49-9-53 lists the commission's advisory duties, including guidance on the state vocational rehabilitation plan, Braille teacher certification, and accessible technology purchasing, and lets it seek outside funding and gifts.
• New Code Section 49-9-54 requires an annual public report evaluating state programs for blind or visually impaired residents.
• New Code Section 49-9-55 requires the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency to consult the commission before establishing, revising, or discontinuing related programs or services.
• Section 3 makes the Act effective immediately upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without it.

1. 2026-02-20House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-19House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-18House Hopper (House)

• Robert Flournoy (D, HD-074)Primary sponsor
• Karen Lupton (D, HD-083)
• Akbar Ali (D, HD-106)
• Sylvia Baker (D, HD-064)
• Arlene Beckles (D, HD-096)

• disability services
• blind and visually impaired Georgians
• vocational rehabilitation
• state commissions
• accessibility