[NFBMO] FW: [NFB-Legislative-Directors] Pre-Convention Legislative Summary

Mon Jun 19 19:50:04 UTC 2023

Thank you for this information Dennis. Very comprehensive.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dennis Miller via NFBMO 
  To: NFB of Missouri Mailing List 
  Cc: Dennis Miller 
  Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 2:33 PM
  Subject: [NFBMO] FW: [NFB-Legislative-Directors] Pre-Convention Legislative Summary

  From: NFB-Legislative-Directors [mailto:nfb-legislative-directors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Walls, Kyle via NFB-Legislative-Directors
  Sent: Monday, June 19, 2023 1:25 PM
  To: nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org
  Cc: Walls, Kyle
  Subject: [NFB-Legislative-Directors] Pre-Convention Legislative Summary

  Dear Legislative Directors:

  This email will serve as a comprehensive status update for all of our bills in the current Congress. This is simply to give you an idea of where we are on our key legislative priorities as we get ready to travel to Houston for our 2023 National Convention. 

  Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act

  This bill would mandate a minimum nonvisual access standard for Class II and Class III home use medical devices. The Act calls on the Access Board to create a minimum nonvisual access standard for covered devices. The Food and Drug Administration will oversee compliance with minimum nonvisual access standards for home use medical devices.

  House of Representatives

  The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act was introduced in the current Congress on March 1, 2023 by Representative Jan Schakowsky (Illinois). The bill number is H.R. 1328, and it currently has 48 cosponsors. 

  Access Technology Affordability Act

  This bill would establish a refundable tax credit for blind individuals in the amount of $2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of access technology. Defines “qualified access technology” in the tax code as hardware, software, or other information technology, the primary function of which is to convert or adapt information that is visually represented into forms or formats useable by blind individuals. The bills sunsets after five years.

  House of Representatives

  The Access Technology Affordability Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 25, 2023 by Representative Mike Kelly (Pennsylvania). The lead cosponsor is Representative Mike Thompson (California). The bill number is H.R. 3702 and it currently has 13 cosponsors. 

  Senate

  The Access Technology Affordability Act was introduced in the Senate on May 4, 2023 by Senator Ben Cardin (Maryland). The lead cosponsor is Senator John Boozman (Arkansas). The bill number is S. 1467 and it currently has five cosponsors. 

  Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

  This legislation would discontinue the issuance of new Special Wage Certificates by forbidding the Secretary of Labor from issuing them to new applicants. The bill would also create a grant program for states and individual 14(c) certificate holders to assist with their transition to competitive, integrated employment. The bill would also create a technical assistance center to support all 14(c) holders in their transition to competitive integrated employment under the US Department of Labor.

  House of Representatives

  The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on February 28, 2023 by Representative Bobby Scott (Virginia). The lead cosponsor is Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington). The bill number is H.R. 1263 and it currently has fifteen cosponsors. 

  Senate

  The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act was introduced in the Senate on February 27, 2023 by Senator Bob Casey (Pennsylvania). The lead cosponsor is Senator Steve Daines (Montana). The bill number is S. 533 and Senator Daines is currently the only cosponsor. 

  This is a great start as we get to roughly the first quarter mark of the 118th Congress. Let’s continue to build cosponsors right up to the start of the Convention. 

  Looking forward to seeing all of you in Houston. 

  Kyle Walls

  Research and Regulatory Specialist

  200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

  (410) 659-9314, extension 2223 | kwalls at nfb.org 

  The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

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