S.B. No. 54
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to certification to teach public school students who have
  visual impairments.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.0485 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.0485.  CERTIFICATION TO TEACH STUDENTS WITH VISUAL
  IMPAIRMENTS. (a)  To be eligible to be issued a certificate to
  teach students with visual impairments, a person must:
               (1)  complete either:
                     (A)  all course work required for that
  certification in an approved educator preparation program; or
                     (B)  an alternative educator certification
  program approved for the purpose by the board;
               (2)  perform satisfactorily on each examination
  prescribed under Section 21.048 for certification to teach students
  with visual impairments, after completing the course work or
  program described by Subdivision (1); and
               (3)  satisfy any other requirements prescribed by the
  board.
         (b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to eligibility for a
  certificate to teach students with visual impairments, including
  eligibility for renewal of that certificate, if the application for
  the initial certificate was submitted on or before September 1,
  2011.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 54 passed the Senate on
  April 14, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 3.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 54 passed the House on
  May 23, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 0, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor