RCW 43.20A.725
Telecommunications devices for the hearing and speech impaired—Program for provision of services and equipment—Rules.
Subject to the enactment into law of the 2013 amendments to RCW 82.14B.040 in section 103, chapter 8, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess., the 2013 amendments to RCW 82.14B.042 in section 104, chapter 8, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess., the 2013 amendments to RCW 82.14B.030 in section 105, chapter 8, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess., the 2013 amendments to RCW 82.14B.200 in section 106, chapter 8, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess., and the 2013 amendments to RCW 82.08.0289 in section 107, chapter 8, Laws of 2013 2nd sp. sess.:
(1) The department, through the sole authority of the office or its successor organization, must maintain a program whereby an individual of school age or older who possesses a hearing or speech impairment is provided with telecommunications equipment, software, and/or peripheral devices, digital or otherwise, that is determined by the office to be necessary for such a person to access and use telecommunications transmission services effectively.
(2) The department, through the sole authority of the office or its successor organization, must maintain a program where telecommunications relay services of a human or electronic nature will be provided to connect hearing impaired, deaf-blind, or speech impaired persons with persons who do not have a hearing or speech impairment. Such telecommunications relay services must provide the ability for an individual who has a hearing or speech impairment to engage in voice, tactile, or visual communication by wire or radio with a hearing individual in a manner that is functionally equivalent to the ability of an individual who does not have a hearing or speech impairment to communicate using voice or visual communication services by wire or radio subject to subsection (4)(b) of this section.
(3) The telecommunications relay service and equipment distribution program may operate in such a manner as to provide communications transmission opportunities that are capable of incorporating new technologies that have demonstrated benefits consistent with the intent of this chapter and are in the best interests of the citizens of this state.
(4) The office must administer and control the award of money to all parties incurring costs in implementing and maintaining telecommunications services, programs, equipment, and technical support services according to this section. The relay service contract must be awarded to an individual company registered as a telecommunications company by the utilities and transportation commission, to a group of registered telecommunications companies, or to any other company or organization determined by the office as qualified to provide relay services, contingent upon that company or organization being approved as a registered telecommunications company prior to final contract approval. The relay system providers and telecommunications equipment vendors must be selected on the basis of cost-effectiveness and utility to the greatest extent possible under the program and technical specifications established by the office.
(a) To the extent funds are available for the purposes authorized by this chapter, the office may award contracts for communications and related services and equipment for hearing impaired or speech impaired individuals accessing or receiving services provided by, or contracted for, the department to meet access obligations under Title 2 of the federal Americans with disabilities act or related federal regulations.
(b) The office must perform its duties under this section with the goal of achieving functional equivalency of access to and use of telecommunications services similar to the enjoyment of access to and use of such services experienced by an individual who does not have a hearing or speech impairment only to the extent that funds are available for the purposes authorized by this chapter.
(5) The program must be funded by the legislature by means of a biennial general fund appropriation to the department for the purposes of the program.
(6) The telecommunications relay service program and equipment vendors must provide services and equipment consistent with the requirements of federal law for the operation of both interstate and intrastate telecommunications services for the hearing impaired or speech impaired. The department and the utilities and transportation commission are responsible for ensuring compliance with federal requirements and must provide timely notice to the legislature of any legislation that may be required to accomplish compliance.
(7) The department must adopt rules establishing eligibility criteria, ownership obligations, financial contributions, and a program for distribution to individuals requesting and receiving such telecommunications devices distributed by the office, and other rules necessary to administer programs and services consistent with this chapter.
[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 8 § 109; 2011 1st sp.s. c 50 § 944; 2010 1st sp.s. c 37 § 921; 2004 c 254 § 1; 2001 c 210 § 2; 1998 c 245 § 59; 1993 c 425 § 1; 1992 c 144 § 3; 1990 c 89 § 3; 1987 c 304 § 3.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—Effective dates—2013 2nd sp.s. c 8: See notes following RCW 82.14B.040.
Effective dates—2011 1st sp.s. c 50: See note following RCW 15.76.115.
Effective date—2010 1st sp.s. c 37: See note following RCW 13.06.050.
Responsibility for collection of tax—2004 c 254: "(1) The department of revenue is responsible for the administration and collection of telephone program excise taxes as provided in this act only with regard to telephone program excise taxes that are imposed on switched access lines for any time period occurring on or after July 1, 2004.
(2) The department of social and health services is responsible for the administration and collection of telephone program excise taxes as provided in this act only with regard to telephone program excise taxes that are imposed on switched access lines for the current year and the four preceding years which occurred prior to July 1, 2004." [ 2004 c 254 § 13.]
Implementation—2004 c 254: "The secretary of the department of social and health services and the director of the department of revenue may take the necessary steps to ensure that this act is implemented on its effective date." [ 2004 c 254 § 15.]
Effective date—2004 c 254: "This act takes effect July 1, 2004." [ 2004 c 254 § 14.]
Effective date—1993 c 425: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [May 15, 1993]." [ 1993 c 425 § 2.]
Legislative findings—Severability—1992 c 144: See notes following RCW 43.20A.720.
Legislative finding—1990 c 89: See note following RCW 43.20A.720.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - State Government—Executive
Chapter 43.20A - Department of Social and Health Services.
43.20A.005 - Intent—Public involvement and outreach.
43.20A.030 - Department created—Powers and duties transferred to.
43.20A.035 - Inventory of charitable, educational, penal, and reformatory land.
43.20A.037 - Affordable housing—Inventory of suitable housing.
43.20A.060 - Departmental divisions—Plan establishing and organizing.
43.20A.073 - Rule making regarding sex offenders.
43.20A.075 - Rule-making authority.
43.20A.080 - Data sharing—Confidentiality—Penalties.
43.20A.105 - Social worker V employees—Implementation plan.
43.20A.110 - Secretary's delegation of powers and duties.
43.20A.130 - Secretary or designee as member of state board of health.
43.20A.167 - Federal Older Americans Act of 1965—Department to participate in and administer.
43.20A.168 - Community programs and projects for the aging.
43.20A.205 - Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license.
43.20A.215 - Assessment of civil fine.
43.20A.310 - Vocational rehabilitation, powers and duties of secretary or designee.
43.20A.320 - Consultation with coordinating council for occupational education.
43.20A.350 - Committees and councils—Declaration of purpose.
43.20A.360 - Committees and councils—Appointment—Memberships—Terms—Vacancies—Travel expenses.
43.20A.390 - Per diem or mileage—Limitation.
43.20A.405 - Purchase of services from public or nonprofit agencies—Vendor rates—Establishment.
43.20A.410 - Purchase of services from public or nonprofit agencies—Factors to be considered.
43.20A.425 - Purchase of services from public or nonprofit agencies—Qualifications of vendors.
43.20A.445 - State-operated workshops at institutions—Authorized—Standards.
43.20A.465 - Contracted service providers—Disruption or delay by economic or industrial actions.
43.20A.605 - Authority to administer oaths and issue subpoenas—Provisions governing subpoenas.
43.20A.607 - Authority to appoint a single executive officer for multiple institutions—Exception.
43.20A.610 - Employment of deputies, experts, physicians, etc.
43.20A.635 - Services for children with disabilities.
43.20A.675 - Office of the deaf and hard of hearing—Educational materials.
43.20A.680 - State council on aging established.
43.20A.690 - State council on aging—Meetings—Compensation of nonlegislative members.
43.20A.695 - State council on aging—Powers and duties—Bylaws.
43.20A.711 - Receipt and use of criminal history information.
43.20A.715 - Long-term care worker screening—Limitations on disqualification.
43.20A.735 - Domestic violence perpetrator programs.
43.20A.765 - Mental health first aid training for teachers and educational staff.
43.20A.790 - Homeless families with children—Shelter and housing services.
43.20A.800 - Vision services for the homeless—Coordination.
43.20A.810 - Vision services for the homeless—Funding.
43.20A.820 - Vision services for the homeless—Use of used eyeglass frames by providers.
43.20A.830 - Vision services for the homeless—Provider liability.
43.20A.840 - Vision services for the homeless—Third party payers.
43.20A.845 - Vision services for the homeless—Program name.
43.20A.875 - Employee incentive program pilot—WorkFirst program.
43.20A.880 - Training competencies and learning outcomes.