A measure introduced by State Rep. Robert Flournoy in the Georgia House seeks to provide increased Braille education and access to blind and visually impaired students in public schools, as stated by the Georgia State House.
Known as HB1099, the bill was filed Thursday, Jan. 29 during the 2026 regular session of the 158th General Assembly and formally titled: ’Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act; enact’.
Below is a summary, which utilizes the official bill text and includes clarifying interpretation of the proposed provisions.
The Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act sets forth expanded Braille access for blind or visually impaired students attending Georgia public schools. The legislation defines Braille and those eligible, grants authority for public schools to deliver Braille instruction, and mandates that Braille instruction be included in each student’s Individualized Education Program unless an IEP team—following an assessment by a specially endorsed educator—finds it unnecessary. The measure establishes mandates for IEP Braille curriculum, prohibits public schools from acquiring textbooks that lack electronic formats suitable for Braille or speech translation, and, starting July 1, 2026, requires Braille proficiency or training for initial issuance or renewal of special education visual impairment endorsements.
The primary sponsors include Rep. Segun Adeyina (Democrat-110th), Rep. Tremaine Teddy Reese (Democrat-140th), as well as two additional legislators.
At the start of the legislative session, Flournoy put forward two other pieces of proposed legislation.
Flournoy earned a degree from Georgia State University.
Flournoy, a Democrat, began serving in the Georgia State House in 2025, representing the 74th House District after taking over from former Rep. Karen Mathiak.
In Georgia, the legislative process starts with a legislator—often prompted by constituents—drafting a bill in partnership with the Office of Legislative Counsel. Once filed with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate, the bill is read and assigned to a committee for consideration and examination. If advanced, it goes to the chamber floor for discussion, a final reading, and a vote. For a bill to become law, it must be approved in both legislative houses—sometimes requiring a conference committee—and then sent to the governor, who has six days during session or 40 days after adjournment (Sine Die) to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without signature. The General Assembly holds a 40-day session every year starting the second Monday in January.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB876 | 03/28/2025 | Property; provide residential tenants with the right to complete repairs required by landlord and offset rental installments by the reasonable cost of such repairs under certain circumstances |
| HB875 | 03/28/2025 | Property; tenant seeking to limit public access to records of the court relating to dispossessory actions to be sealed under certain circumstances; provide |
This article draws on information from the Georgia State House. The original data can be found here.
