Plain English Breakdown
The source states the bill passed both chambers but does not confirm if it has been signed by the Governor or become law.
AB-2680: Removing Certification Requirements for Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Programs
This law removes the current rules requiring doctors or other professionals to certify a person's disability before they can receive free special telephone equipment.
What This Bill Does
- Removes the requirement for subscribers to provide certification from medical professionals or state agencies to join telecommunications programs for deaf, hearing-impaired, disabled, or speech-disabled individuals.
- Makes matching changes to existing laws so they no longer list specific steps for getting certified by doctors, audiologists, optometrists, or other providers.
- States that the bill does not require the state to reimburse local agencies for costs related to enforcing these new rules.
- Makes nonsubstantive changes to requirements regarding low-income weatherization programs run by local publicly owned energy utilities.
Who It Names or Affects
- People who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired, or have speech disabilities and use special telephone equipment.
- The Public Utilities Commission, which manages the telecommunications programs.
- Local publicly owned electric and gas utilities regarding nonsubstantive changes to weatherization program rules.
Terms To Know
- Certification
- Official proof from a doctor or agency that a person has a specific disability, which this bill removes as a requirement for getting equipment.
- Public Utilities Commission
- The state group in charge of making rules for telephone companies and other public utilities.
Limits and Unknowns
- The official text does not explain how the Public Utilities Commission will decide who gets equipment without medical certification.
- The effective date is not listed in the provided source material.
- The specific reason why no state reimbursement is required for local agencies is mentioned but not explained.