Bill Text: OH HB434 | 2013-2014 | 130th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: To create the Disability Accommodations through Technology Council.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-11 - To Health and Aging [HB434 Detail]

Download: Ohio-2013-HB434-Introduced.html

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As Introduced

130th General Assembly Regular Session 2013-2014

H. B. No. 434

Representative Barnes 

Cosponsors: Representatives Patmon, Milkovich 

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A BILL

To enact section 3304.55 of the Revised Code to

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create the Disability Accommodations through

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Technology Council.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 3304.55 of the Revised Code be	4
enacted to read as follows:	5

Sec. 3304.55.  (A) As used in this section:

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(1) "Blind" has the same meaning as in section 3304.28 of the	7
Revised Code.	8

(2) "State institution of higher education" has the same	9
meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.	10

(B) There is hereby created within the opportunities for	11
Ohioans with disabilities agency the disability accommodations	12
through technology council. The council shall consist of the	13
following nine members appointed by the governor:	14

(1) Three representatives of businesses engaged in the field	15
of technology;	16

(2) Three representatives of state institutions of higher	17
education;	18

(3) Three representatives of the blind community.

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(C) The governor shall make initial appointments to the	20
council not later than ninety days after the effective date of	21
this section. Of the initial appointments to the council, the	22
governor shall appoint one member who represents business, one	23
member who represents state institutions of higher education, and	24
one member who represents the blind community to a term ending one	25
year after the effective date of this section; one member who	26
represents business, one member who represents state institutions	27
of higher education, and one member who represents the blind	28
community to a term ending two years after the effective date of	29
this section; and one member who represents business, one member	30
who represents state institutions of higher education, and one	31
member who represents the blind community to a term ending three	32
years after the effective date of this section. Thereafter, terms	33
of office shall be for three years, with each term ending on the	34
same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each	35
member shall hold office from the date of the member's appointment	36
until the end of the term for which the member was appointed.	37

Members may be reappointed to one additional term. Any member	38
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date	39
of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall	40
hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. A member	41
shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the	42
member's term until a successor takes office or until a period of	43
sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.	44

Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but	45
shall be paid the actual and necessary expenses they incur in the	46
performance of their duties.	47

The governor annually shall appoint a chairperson from the	48
members of the council. The governor may reappoint the chairperson	49
to serve one additional term as chairperson. The council shall	50
meet at least six times annually at the times and places	51
designated by the chairperson.	52

(D) The council shall do all of the following:

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(1) Study and determine methods to improve accommodations for	54
individuals with disabilities through technology;	55

(2) Prepare a report that summarizes the council's findings	56
under division (D)(1) of this section;	57

(3) Beginning one year after the effective date of this	58
section, and every year thereafter, submit the report required	59
under division (D)(2) of this section to the governor.	60

(E) The council may adopt rules as necessary for the conduct	61
of its business. The executive director of the opportunities for	62
Ohioans with disabilities agency shall assign one professional	63
staff person to the council to serve as executive secretary and	64
other personnel as determined advisable.	65

(F) There is hereby created in the state treasury the	66
technology assistance fund. The fund shall consist of donations,	67
gifts, and contributions to the fund the executive director of the	68
opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency receives from	69
businesses and of any appropriations made to the fund. The	70
executive director shall use the moneys in the fund to improve	71
accommodations for individuals with disabilities through	72
technology.	73