Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 2345 amends the Utilities Code to modify provisions relating to eligibility for the Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program. The bill clarifies that to be eligible for the program a person must have a disability that impairs the person's ability to effectively access the telephone network. The bill removes the requirement that a program applicant pay a $35 fee. The bill shortens from seven to five years the length of time between when an applicant exchanges a voucher for a specialized communication device and when the individual is eligible to receive another voucher. The bill authorizes the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to allow a person who lives in a congregate setting to be eligible for a voucher although another person in the setting has also received a voucher. The bill authorizes the commission to promote the program by certain means and requires telecommunications utilities that publish and distribute residential or business telephone directories to list contact information for the program in the directories.