[Nfb-hi] SB 893 SD1 Revised

[Milton Ota]

SB893 SD1.DOCTHE SENATES.B. NO.893
      TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011S.D. 1
      STATE OF HAWAII 
        
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 
vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind division determines to
be 
best qualified.  In reviewing the qualifications of any provider or
providers, 
the division shall consider the factors of cost, quality of services, 
experience, and 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 $80,000 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, 2011.
 
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.  (SD1)
 
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for 
informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of
legislative 
intent.
 
 
 
 
  _____  


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