What's happening
This bill establishes an accessible electronic information service for blind and disabled New Yorkers, funded by designated state and private sources.
Why it matters
Creates a sustainable funding mechanism. for accessible news/information services for blind and disabled people, ensuring the service’s long-term availability by tapping into both public and private sources (like the Targeted Accessibility Fund and NYS Commission for the Blind).
Mandates that telecommunications companies contribute to the accessibility fund. , expanding financial responsibility to a broader range of service providers (including cable and telephone companies), which could affect industry practices and costs.
Defines a qualified not-for-profit as the service provider. , with specific requirements: must offer interstate access to audio news and handle online administration and registration, ensuring the program is run by entities with the right expertise and infrastructure.
Explicitly ties eligibility to existing federal and state standards. , meaning only those already eligible for Library of Congress/State Library services can use this resource—focusing benefits on those most in need and leveraging existing verification systems.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Expand Access to Audio News
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
20 Co-sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred 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.
Expand Blind Access to News
In Senate Committee · Finance · Sponsor Kevin S. Parker
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
4590
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
February 4, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW, ABINANTI, ARROYO, BENEDETTO, GOODELL, GOTTFRIED, LUPARDO, MONTESANO, ORTIZ, STECK, TITUS, WEPRIN, ZEBROWSKI -- read once and referred to the Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public service law and the state finance law, in relation to enacting the accessible electronic information act
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "accessible electronic information act".
§ 2. Legislative finding. The National Federation of the Blind established the NFB-NEWSLINE to increase the ability of visually impaired individuals to receive information provided by newspapers, magazines, journals and other print media which are traditionally unavailable in a limited electronic broadcast. Since 2002, this vital service has provided visually impaired New Yorkers with information on job listings, self-help magazines, do-it-yourself guides, political magazines, several newspapers, TV guide listings, and other literary necessities that all sighted New Yorkers have enjoyed. This legislation provides a stable means to bring NEWSLINE to New York.
§ 3. The public service law is amended by adding a new section 92-i to read as follows:
§ 92-i. Accessible electronic information; blind and disabled persons. 1. A qualified not-for-profit entity capable of providing such service shall provide an accessible electronic information service for eligible blind and disabled persons. This service shall be planned for continuation from year to year and make maximum use of federal, state, private and other funds available, including obtaining grant or in-kind support from appropriate programs and securing access to low-cost interstate rates for telecommunications by reimbursement or otherwise.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04954-01-9
A. 4590 2
2. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated:
(a) "Accessible electronic information service" means news and other timely information (including newspapers) provided to eligible individuals from a multi-state service center, using high-speed computers and telecommunications technology for interstate acquisition of content and rapid distribution in a form appropriate for use by such individuals;
(b) "Blind and disabled persons" means those individuals who are eligible for library loan services through the Library of Congress and the State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped pursuant to 36 CFR 701.10(b);
(c) "Director" means the director of the selected not-for-profit entity;
(d) "Qualified entity" means a not-for-profit entity within this state capable of providing accessible electronic information services which:
(i) provides interstate access for eligible persons to read daily newspapers producing audio editions by computer, and
(ii) provides a means of program administration and reader registration on the internet.
§ 4. The state finance law is amended by adding a new section 99-ff to read as follows:
§ 99-ff. Accessible electronic information service fund. 1. There is hereby established in the custody of the state comptroller a special revenue fund to be known as the "accessible electronic information service fund".
2. Funding for the accessible electronic information service fund shall be obtained from:
a. The Targeted Accessibility Fund, Inc., established by the public service commission in its "order and opinion 98-10" in an amount deemed appropriate for the purpose of providing electronic distribution of newspapers, periodicals, time sensitive materials, and other information which may be of benefit to the community; and
b. The New York state commission for the blind in an amount deemed appropriate by the commissioner for providing electronic distribution of newspapers, periodicals, time sensitive materials, and other information which may be of benefit to the community.
3. Nothing contained in this section shall prevent the state from receiving grants, gifts or bequests and depositing them into the accessible electronic information service fund according to law.
4. The accessible electronic information service fund shall be administered by the public service commission, in consultation with the director and the commissioner, in accordance with this section.
5. The public service commission shall require companies who provide telecommunication services to blind and disabled persons, as defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision two of section ninety-two-i of the public service law, including but not limited to, certified telecommunication carriers, cable television companies that offer telephone service, and other companies the public service commission deems to be a provider of telecommunication services, to contribute to the Targeted Accessibility Fund, Inc. for the purpose of increasing funding to comply with paragraph a of subdivision two of this section.
§ 5. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.