Bill Text: HI SB893 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Telephone-based Audible Information Access Service; Appropriation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-04-13 - (H) Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 747). [SB893 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-SB893-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
893 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO INFORMATION ACCESS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Thousands of Hawaii residents experience disabilities such as visual impairments, dyslexia, and physical impairments that prevent them from directly accessing conventional print media. Many printed materials are available through governmental and nonprofit agencies in accessible formats such as braille, large print, or audio recording. However, it is generally not practical to provide time-sensitive information such as a local daily newspaper in these specialized formats. The legislature finds that even in a media environment where information is frequently available in multiple formats that are both portable and widely accessible, telephone-based audible information access remains an important service for many individuals.
SECTION 2. Chapter 347, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§347‑ Telephone-based access to time-sensitive print media. (a) The vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind division of the department of human services shall ensure that a telephone-based audible information access service is available statewide to individuals with visual or other impairments that limit access to printed media.
(b) The division shall investigate the availability of experienced providers of quality telephone-based audible information access service and shall award a contract to provide this service to one or more providers that the division determines to be best qualified. In reviewing the qualifications of any provider or providers, the division shall consider the factors of:
(1) Cost;
(2) Quality of services;
(3) Experience; and
(4) Any other factors that the division deems appropriate.
(c) The division shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to administer a telephone-based audible information access service, including establishing a mechanism for providing ongoing funding for the service.
(d) As used in this section:
"Division" means the vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind division of the department of human services.
"Telephone-based audible information access service" means the delivery of current daily newspapers and other periodicals in audio format through a telephone call to a local or toll-free telephone number."
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011-2012 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a telephone-based audible information access service.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind division of the department of human services pursuant to the expenditure authority granted under section 347-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the purposes of this Act; provided that the appropriations authorized under this Act shall be expended on a contract for services with the Hawaii affiliate of a national organization that:
(1) Has affiliates in at least all fifty states; and
(2) Provides electronic services that provide blind, visually impaired, and print disabled persons with access to newspapers, magazines, and television listings twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, by means of a touch tone telephone, the Internet, or by downloading the electronic information to a digital talking book player or MP3 playing device.
SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Telephone-based Audible Information Access Service; Department of Human Services; Appropriation
Description:
Directs the vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind division of the department of human services to contract for a telephone-based service to provide access to timely print media. Makes appropriation. Effective 07/01/2050. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
