BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 136
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Date of Hearing: May 4, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 136 (Beall) - As Amended: April 26, 2011
Policy Committee:
UtilitiesVote:15-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
No Reimbursable:
SUMMARY
This bill expands the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications
Program (DDTP) to include assistance to persons with speech
disabilities. Specifically, this bill:
1)Requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to expand the
DDTP to include assistance in purchasing speech-generating
devices, accessories, mounting systems, and specialized
telecommunications equipment, including infrared telephones,
speaker phones, and telephone interface devices.
2)Requires the PUC to prescribe eligibility standards, ensuring
that only individuals who are speech impaired as certified by
a licensed physician, licensed speech-language pathologist, or
qualified state or federal agency, are eligible.
3)Requires the PUC to provide each eligible applicant with the
appropriate equipment, consistent with the recommendation of a
licensed speech-language pathologist.
FISCAL EFFECT
The PUC indicates it would require a contract to provide advice
regarding speech-generating devices, since the commission lacks
expertise in this area, which involves specialized medical
equipment that sometimes incorporates a telecommunications
component. The PUC would also have to amend its existing DDTP
administrative contract to encompass this work. The first-year
personnel and contract costs would be in the range of $500,000,
with ongoing costs of around $400,000.
AB 136
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In addition, the costs to provide equipment would depend on the
number of applicants for assistance, which is unknown. Assuming
equipment is provided for 1,000 applicants each year at an
average cost of $11,000, annual costs would be $11 million.
The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program Administrative
Committee Fund is projected to have a balance of $10.9 million
as of June 30, 2012. Additional costs at a level described above
would likely require an increase in the DDTP surcharge rate that
funds this program.
COMMENTS
1)Background . The DDTP is administered by the PUC to provide
individuals who are deaf and disabled with equipment and relay
services through the California Telephone Access Program
(CTAP) and the California Relay Service. The DDTP and CTAP
provide a telecommunications device capable of serving the
needs of individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired,
together with a single party line, at no charge additional to
the basic exchange rate. Funds for the DDTP-totaling $69
million for 2011-12-are collected via a 0.2% surcharge applied
to every telephone subscribers' interstate telecommunication
service.
2)Purpose . According to the author, AB 136 will further not only
the intent of the DDTP, but also state and federal
antidiscrimination laws, including the Americans with
Disabilities Act, which is intended to ensure that people with
disabilities have access to auxiliary aids and services
necessary to ensure effective communication. The author
argues that "no individual should be prevented from making or
receiving a telephone call now that the technology exists to
make it possible through the state program established to
ensure that very access".
Analysis Prepared by : Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081