Report Title:

Disabled Services; Internet Access; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes Internet access for the disabled program to offer free Internet access to individuals who are disabled; makes appropriation.

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2422

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  A survey carried out in 2000 for the United States National Organization on Disability found that forty-eight per cent of individuals with disabilities stated that going online significantly increased their quality of life, compared with twenty-seven per cent of non-disabled people.  The legislature finds that electronic communication capabilities can broaden skill sets and potential employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the State of Hawaii.  As such, the purpose of this Act is to establish a program to offer free Internet access to individuals with disabilities, and to make an appropriation to the program. 

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 348F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§348F-    Internet access for the disabled program.  There is established under the administration of the board, a program to provide free access to the Internet for individuals with disabilities.  Such a program shall have available for use the most advanced technical equipment possible as funding permits so that individuals with varying disabilities may access the Internet."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to establish, properly equip, and operate an Internet access for the disabled program to provide individuals with disabilities free access to the Internet.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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