A. The state plan for library services shall be amended in accordance with the Federal Library Services and Construction Act and applicable regulations to reflect the authority and duty of the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services to provide special library services, including braille and recorded books, to blind and visually handicapped persons as provided by state law.

B. Special library services for blind and physically handicapped adults, children, and students shall be provided by the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired of the Department in accordance with the Federal Library Services and Construction Act, as amended, and applicable federal regulations relating thereto; and consistent with applicable statutes and regulations. The Commission for Rehabilitation Services shall, within the availability of state funds, annually make available for such special library services sufficient funds to earn the maximum available federal funds under the Federal Library Services and Construction Act and appropriations made in pursuance thereof by Congress.

C. All federal requirements for interlibrary cooperation and consultation shall be observed and entitlement of the Department of Libraries to receive federal funds for library services or construction shall not be impaired by any state law prescribing the duties, responsibilities and functions of the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired of the Department.

Added by Laws 1969, c. 290, § 2(b), (c), (d), emerg. eff. April 29, 1969. Amended by Laws 1993, c. 364, § 6, emerg. eff. June 11, 1993; Laws 2019, c. 51, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.