Creates provisions relating to communication access services
Impact
The bill mandates the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to establish standards for communication service providers, including their qualification and necessary training. It also entails the development of a public-facing website where individuals can access information about available communication access services easily. Additionally, the commission is tasked with providing guidance and resources to facilitate the connection between service users and providers, thus ensuring that individuals who require these services can access them efficiently.
Summary
Senate Bill 766 aims to enhance communication access services for individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing in Missouri. The bill introduces a new section to Chapter 209 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, mandating the establishment of a statewide communication access services program. This program is designed to collaborate with state and local agencies, as well as communication access service providers, to create a comprehensive registry of services available across various regions of the state, both urban and rural. This initiative seeks to improve the availability and coordination of communication access services.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding SB 766 is the funding aspect, as it establishes the 'Communication Access Services Fund' for administering grants to support the provision of these essential services. The bill allows for the inclusion of various types of contributions to the fund, raising discussions about the sufficiency and sustainability of the financial backing for the program. While supporters argue that such measures are crucial for increasing accessibility and supporting individuals in need, there may be concerns about whether the allocated resources will adequately meet the demands for communication access services across the state.