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<BR><BR>SHANNON L. DILLON<BR><BR><BR> <BR>
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From: Guidedogboard@dca.ca.gov<BR>Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2010 10:21:22 -0700<BR>Subject: Corrected Advisory - SB 1491 (In-Home Training - EFFECTIVE DATE - JANUARY 1, 2011)<BR>To: <BR><BR>
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<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">On Tuesday, September 28, 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1491 (Senate Business Professions and Economic Development Committee). The amended statute will become effective on <B><U>January 1, 2011</U></B>. This bill makes the following changes in the Guide Dog Act:</SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoFooter style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.15in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN>·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">Allows schools to provide in-home training regardless of the guide dog users’ experience with a guide dog. </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"></SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoFooter style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.1in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoFooter style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.15in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN>·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">Deletes the requirement that allows in-home training only for special circumstances. </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">Currently, California consumers who are interested in in-home training as a first-time user are forced to leave the state. With the passage of SB 1491, California schools can still be competitive if they can also provide in-home training as a venue for instruction, regardless of the circumstances of the guide dog user. </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoFooter><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoFooter style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.25in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.15in"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol"><SPAN>·<SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; LAYOUT-GRID-MODE: line; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">Clarifies that Board licensed instructors have the ability to provide in-home training in the State of California regardless of employment by a California licensed school. </SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">The in-home training model as a venue of training is consistent with international training standards. There is no cost for consumers for a guide dog so there would be no competition for costs between schools. The ways in which guide dog schools stay competitive are to keep up with the needs of students in the quality and quantity of training provided.</SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">SB 1491 was the result of a collaborative process which included input from senior instructors at the three California licensed guide dog schools, consumer input, and Board Member consideration. </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><U><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">I’m a California Licensed Guide Dog School</SPAN></U></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">This change in statute allows you to provide in-home training to any client in California, regardless of circumstance or previous experience with a guide dog. Schools will continue to provide the names and addresses of those who are being trained and those that have completed training to the Board (Business and Professions Code Sections 7210.7, 7217) </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><U><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">I’m a Guide Dog User/Potential Guide Dog User</SPAN></U></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">This change in the Guide Dog Act will allow you to choose any licensed school or licensed instructor to provide in-home training as a venue for instruction, regardless of your prior experience with a guide dog or personal circumstance. </SPAN></P>
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<P class=ecxMsoNormal><U><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">I’m a Licensed Guide Dog Instructor</SPAN></U></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 11.5pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">This change in statute allows you to provide in-home training to any client in California, regardless of circumstance or previous experience with a guide dog. Licensed instructors will continue to provide the names and addresses of those who are being trained and those that have completed training to the Board (Business and Professions Code Section 7210.7). </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"></SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">1625 N. Market Blvd., S-202</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"></SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">Sacramento, CA 95834</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"></SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">(866) 512-9103 toll free for in-state calls</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"></SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"><A href="mailto:guidedogboard@dca.ca.gov">guidedogboard@dca.ca.gov</A> </SPAN></P>
<P class=ecxMsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><A href="http://www.guidedogboard.ca.gov/" target=_blank><SPAN style="COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">www.guidedogboard.ca.gov</SPAN></A></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> </SPAN></P></DIV> </body>
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