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History
- Print number 8110b
- Amend and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Print number 8110a
- Amend (t) and recommit to corporations, authorities and commissions
- Referred to corporations, authorities and commissions
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Requires telephone companies to provide essential equipment, including voice dialing equipment, to persons with disabilities
In Senate Committee · Energy And Telecommunications · Sponsor Ruben Diaz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:A8110B
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to providing telephone equipment with voice dialing functions to certain persons with disabilities
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill would update provisions of the Public Service Law to reflect technological advances in adaptive telecommunications equipment.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 399-zz-1. This section defines voice dialing telephone equipment, consumer, purchaser, and seller.
2. Any manufacturer or residential voice dialing telephone equipment shall offer for sale such equipment to consumers, as defined in this section, at an amount not to exceed the actual cost of manufacturing the equipment.
Section 2. Every telephone corporation, as defined by section 2 of the public service law, and every cable television company, as defined in section 212 of public service law and any other provider of telephone service that provides telephone service to customers in New York state shall provide notice to its customers that voice dialing telephone equipment is available from manufactures at cost.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
The current law is based on decades-old and outdated technology, only certain services for the hearing impaired (TTY, statewide relay service) are considered to be needed to enable people with disabilities to access telecommunications.
Justification
The provisions of the PSL addressing adaptive telecommu- nications equipment have not remained current with technological advances. This became apparent in 2005, when local telephone service providers discontinued voice dialing equipment that is relied upon by people with visual impairments without any formal review process.
Since the 1970's, there have been numerous advances in adaptive equip- ment technology. People with disabilities can benefit from amplified phones, screen readers - even phones that can be dialed by puffing through a straw. This bill will make it easier for people with disabili- ties to stay connected at home and work and will bring the PSL's treat- ment of adaptive technology into the 21st century. Except for voice dialing, the legislation does not specify particular technologies, but allows the PSC to periodically update the list of necessary adaptive technologies by adopting regulations.
Prior legislative history
2008 S.759/A.2105 2006 S.6418/A.8029
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect 180 Days after it shall have become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.