Provides for the licensing of vision impairment specialists
This bill establishes a licensing system for two specific professions: orientation and mobility specialists (who help visually impaired people navigate safely) and vision rehabilitation therapists (who provide training for daily living skills). It defines these roles, sets education and training requirements for licenses, and creates a state board with representation from both professionals and the visually impaired community. Only licensed individuals may use these titles or provide these services, and the law explicitly states these specialists cannot prescribe optical devices. The bill directly affects visually impaired residents (including those legally blind or partially sighted) who seek these services and the professionals working in this field.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Assembly Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Last action Jun 3, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Jun 4, 2025
How they voted
57–1
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 63
Jun 4, 2025
D
Democratic41
87% Yea
R
Republican22
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
14
Key actions
2
Committee
6
Jun 3, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Jun 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 28, 2026
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
Jun 4, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
May 29, 2025
Committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
upper
Jan 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO HIGHER EDUCATION
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Roxanne Persaud
DDemocratic
Co
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
DDemocratic
Co
Joe Griffo
RRepublican/Conservative
Co
Lea Webb
DDemocratic/Working Families
Co
Pam Helming
RRepublican/Conservative/Independence
Co
Patrick Gallivan
RRepublican/Conservative
Co
Robert Jackson
DDemocratic/Working Families
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