What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
History
- Print number 3096b
- Amend and recommit to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Print number 3096a
- Amend (t) and recommit to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
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.
Relates to providing telephone equipment with voice dialing functions to certain persons with disabilities
In Assembly Committee · Corporations, Authorities And Commissions · Sponsor Michael Benjamin
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
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The current law is based on decades-old and outdated technology, only certain services for the hearing impaired (TTY, statewide relay service) are considered to be needed to enable people with disabilities to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 telecommunications 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 equipment 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 disabilities to stay connected at home and work and will bring the PSL's treatment 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.