HB 1281 -- Telecommunications for Persons with Disabilities

Sponsor:  Boucher

This bill requires the Public Service Commission to provide a
statewide dual-party relay system to connect deaf, hearing--
impaired, and speech-impaired persons.  Current law requires the
commission to determine by January 10, 1991, the most beneficial
and cost-effective method to implement the provision of such
service.  The bill also establishes the statewide
telecommunications equipment distribution program.  The program
will:

(1)  Provide consumer support and outreach;

(2)  Develop administrative procedures assuring appropriate
matches between individuals and adaptive telecommunications
equipment;

(3)  Provide a full range of adaptive telecommunications
equipment;

(4)  Procure and distribute the equipment in a cost-effective
manner; and

(5)  Expend at least 10% of total expenditures on consumer
support and outreach and no more than 10% of total expenditures
in a fiscal year on the program administrator.

The program will use Missouri organizations to deliver consumer
support and outreach and administrative services in all
contracts and sub-contracts.  The bill outlines the experience
and expertise required of the program administrator and asserts
that the state is not required to provide adaptive
telecommunications equipment at no cost to all eligible
subscribers.  Procedures to limit eligibility cannot be based on
disability type, age, equipment cost, or equipment type but may
be based on financial means, existing access to equipment, prior
usage of the program, and other appropriate factors.

The bill requires the commission to establish a rate recovery
mechanism to recover the costs of implementing and maintaining
both the dual-party relay system and the equipment distribution
program.  Current law requires the commission to establish such
a mechanism for the dual-party relay system only.

The commission will annually request, through separate budget
line items, sufficient appropriations from the deaf relay
service and equipment distribution program fund for both
programs.