SB2498 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB093 19782 AMC 45524 b

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2003 and 2004
SB2498

Introduced 2/3/2004, by John J. Cullerton

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

220 ILCS 5/13-703.1 new

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation shall enter into an agreement with the State Library providing for an annual payment in an amount equal to the cost incurred for the distribution of accessible information. Provides that the State Library shall specify equipment that may be used by eligible persons who, due to hearing loss, are unable to use effectively standard telecommunications equipment to access the content in the synthetic speech format otherwise provided, and the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation shall acquire such equipment for such individuals under terms similar to those required of individuals to whom the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation provides TTY equipment.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning utilities.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Public Utilities Act is amended by adding Section 13-703.1 as follows:

(220 ILCS 5/13-703.1 new)

Sec. 13-703.1. Distribution of accessible information; Illinois State Library.

(a) For the purposes of this Section:

"Distribution of accessible information" means rapid dissemination of digitized text content, including newspapers, prepared for reproduction in synthetic speech or braille formats provided to persons eligible for service in the State Library's Talking Book Program.

"Qualified entity" means a nonprofit organization that (i) produces digitized text editions of daily newspapers, available for interstate distribution in synthetic speech or braille format, using high-speed computer and telecommunications technology, (ii) obtains electronic news text through direct transfer arrangements made with participating news organizations and does not replicate their electronic editions that are otherwise available on the Internet, and (iii) provides a means of program administration and reader registration on the Internet.

(b) The Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation, or any other entity designated by the Illinois Commerce Commission to implement a program under Section 13-703 of this Act for the purposes of allowing those with hearing disabilities to use effective telecommunications equipment, shall enter into an agreement with the State Library providing for an annual payment in an amount equal to the cost incurred for the distribution of accessible information. Under the agreement, the State Library shall obtain the service through a qualified entity and provide blind and other persons eligible for its talking book program with access to digitized text editions of daily newspapers and other context of timely value.

(c) The State Library shall, in consultation with the qualified entity, specify equipment that may be used by eligible persons who, due to hearing loss, are unable to use effectively standard telecommunications equipment to access the content in the synthetic speech format otherwise provided, and the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation or any subsequent designee of the Illinois Commerce Commission shall acquire such equipment for such individuals under terms similar to those required of individuals to whom the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation provides TTY equipment.