THE SENATE S.B. NO. 536 THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
THE SENATE S.B. NO. 536
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
536
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACCESS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the public utilities commission has a duty and obligation to obtain and maintain access to a basic set of essential telecommunications services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The purpose of this Act is to require the public utilities commission to provide free telecommunications access to information for persons with print disabilities through use of the universal service fund established pursuant to section 269‑41, Hawaii Revised Statutes. SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: "§269- Universal service program; access for individuals with print disabilities. (a) The public utilities commission shall use funds from the universal service fund established pursuant to section 269-42 to provide free telephonic access to time-sensitive information, including but not limited to state and local government information, public notices, emergency alerts, job opportunities, daily newspapers, and other content, to allow individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access information and services. The telephonic access shall be in formats accessible to and usable by persons with print disabilities. (b) The public utilities commission shall adopt rules to implement this section." SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored. SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the public utilities commission has a duty and obligation to obtain and maintain access to a basic set of essential telecommunications services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
The purpose of this Act is to require the public utilities commission to provide free telecommunications access to information for persons with print disabilities through use of the universal service fund established pursuant to section 269‑41, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 2. Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§269- Universal service program; access for individuals with print disabilities. (a) The public utilities commission shall use funds from the universal service fund established pursuant to section 269-42 to provide free telephonic access to time-sensitive information, including but not limited to state and local government information, public notices, emergency alerts, job opportunities, daily newspapers, and other content, to allow individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access information and services. The telephonic access shall be in formats accessible to and usable by persons with print disabilities.
(b) The public utilities commission shall adopt rules to implement this section."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY: _____________________________
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title: Deaf and Blind Task Force; Telecommunications Access Description: Requires the use of the public utilities commission's universal service fund to provide free telecommunications access to information for individuals with print disabilities. The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
Report Title:
Deaf and Blind Task Force; Telecommunications Access
Description:
Requires the use of the public utilities commission's universal service fund to provide free telecommunications access to information for individuals with print disabilities.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.