[Nfb-hi] Update on SB2435

[Milton Ota]

Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1615-12) as amended in HD 1,
recommending passage on Third Reading.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO INFORMATION ACCESS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that 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, the legislature
finds that it is generally not practical to provide time-sensitive
information such as a local daily 

newspaper in these specialized formats.  The legislature also finds that
even in a media environment where information is frequently available in
multiple formats that are 

portable and widely accessible, telephone-based audible information access
remains an important service for many individuals.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to maintain a
telephone-based audible information access service.

     SECTION 2.  The vocational rehabilitation and services for the blind
division of the department of human services shall develop a program to
charge a reasonable fee to 

enable individuals who are not blind, visually-impaired, or print-disabled
to access 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 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 2012

-2013 to maintain a telephone-based audible information access service.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the vocational rehabilitation
and services for the blind division of the department of human services for
the purposes of this 

Act; provided that the appropriation authorized under this Act shall be
expended on a contract for services.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2030.

Report Title:

Telephone-based Audible Information Access Service; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the
Blind Division of the Department of Human Services to contract for a
telephone-based service to 

maintain a telephone-based audible information access service.  Effective
July 1, 2030.  (SB2435 HD1)