BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 136
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 136 (Beall)
As Amended April 26, 2011
Majority vote
UTILITIES & COMMERCE 15-0
APPROPRIATIONS 17-0
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|Ayes:|Bradford, Fletcher, |Ayes:|Fuentes, Harkey, |
| |Buchanan, Fong, Fuentes, | |Blumenfield, Bradford, |
| |Furutani, Garrick, | |Charles Calderon, Campos, |
| |Roger Hern�ndez, Huffman, | |Davis, Donnelly, Gatto, |
| |Knight, Ma, Nestande, | |Hall, Hill, Lara, |
| |Carter, Swanson, Valadao | |Mitchell, Nielsen, Norby, |
| | | |Solorio, Wagner |
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SUMMARY : Expands the California Public Utilities Commission
(PUC) Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP) to
include assistance to individuals with speech disabilities.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires PUC to expand the Deaf and Disabled
Telecommunications Program to include assistance to
individuals with speech disabilities, including assistance to
purchase speech-generating devices, accessories, mounting
systems, and specialized telecommunications equipment,
including infrared telephones, speaker phones, and telephone
interface devices, are funded through the program.
2)Requires PUC to prescribe eligibility standards for the
expanded program. PUC shall ensure that only individuals who
are both residents of the state and speech impaired as
certified by a licensed physician, licensed speech-language
pathologist, or qualified state or federal agency are
eligible.
3)States PUC shall provide to each eligible applicant the
appropriate equipment consistent with the recommendation of a
licensed speech-language pathologist.
4)Requires PUC to ensure that the equipment provided is
consistent with the economy, efficiency, and quality of
equipment that is available for purchase in the state.
AB 136
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5)Allows PUC to adopt further rules for the purposes of
implementing the provisions in this bill.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Assembly Appropriations
Committee, the PUC indicates it would require a contract to
provide advice regarding speech-generating devices, since the
PUC 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.
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 : According to the author, this bill will further not
only the intent of the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications
Program (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 states 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".
Background : The Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program
(DDTP) is administered
by PUC, and provides Californians who are deaf and disabled with
equipment and relay services through the California Telephone
Access Program (CTAP) and the California Relay Service (CRS).
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
AB 136
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additional to the basic exchange rate. Any subscriber who is
certified as an individual who is deaf or hearing impaired by a
licensed physician, surgeon, audiologist, or qualified state or
federal agency, as determined by PUC, and any subscriber that is
an organization representing individuals who are deaf or hearing
impaired may receive such a telecommunications device.
Issue : This bill would require PUC to expand DDTP to include
assistance to individuals with speech disabilities. DDTP has
been expanded over the years to include people with disabilities
other than deafness and hearing impairments, including those
with speech disabilities. While most people with speech
disabilities can utilize either the Relay Service or basic
technology used by people who are deaf or hearing impaired,
there are individuals who cannot use such devices and require
more sophisticated technology, such as those individuals with
advanced Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Analysis Prepared by : DaVina Flemings / U. & C. / (916)
319-2083
FN: 0001093