SRC-DPW S.B. 1441 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1441
76R7248 JJT-DBy: Barrientos
Human Services
4/12/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the specialized telecommunications device assistance program
only provides devices to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and
not to individuals with other disabilities that make it difficult or
impossible to use standard telecommunications devices.  This bill would
allow the Texas Public Utilities Commission and the Commission for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing to provide assistive telecommunications devices for
individuals with serious disabilities. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1441 sets forth guidelines for the expansion of the
specialized telecommunications devices assistance program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Commission for the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing in SECTION 1 (Section 56.152, Utilities Code) and the
Public Utilities Commission of Texas and the Texas Commission for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing in SECTION 1 (Section 56.151, Utilities Code) of this
bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 56.151 and 56.152, Utilities Code, to require
the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) and the Texas Commission for
the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (commission for the deaf) to, by rule,
establish a program to financially assist individuals with disabilities
that impair the individual's ability to effectively access the telephone
network, rather than certain individuals who are deaf or have an impairment
of hearing or speech.  Requires the commission for the deaf to, by rule,
prescribe eligibility standards for individuals, including deaf individuals
and those who have an impairment of hearing or speech.  Makes a conforming
change. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 56.153(a), Utilities Code, to require the
commission for the deaf to distribute certain vouchers to eligible
applicants for devices described by Section 56.151. 

SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 56E, Utilities Code, by adding Section 56.156, as
follows: 

Sec. 56.156. SPECIALIZED TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
Requires PUC and the commission for the deaf to appoint an advisory
committee to advise PUC on issues regarding telephone network access for
individuals with disabilities.  Sets forth requirements for the membership
composition of the committee. 

SECTION 4. Provides that the text of Sections 56.151, 56.152, and
56.153(a), Utilities Code, gives effect to changes made by Chapter 149,
Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997.  Provides that this
Act prevails over another Act of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session,
1999, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted
codes. 

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.