Ch. 525

LAWS OF MARYLAND

(A)  IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
INDICATED.

(B)  "BOARD" MEANS THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR "DISABLED
INDIVIDUALS BOARD.

(C)  "DUAL PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGE RELAY PROGRAM" MEANS A
SERVICE WHEREBY A TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF
COMMUNICATES WITH AN INTERMEDIARY PARTY WHO THEN VERBALLY RELAYS
THE FIRST PARTY'S MESSAGE TO THE THIRD PARTY, AND VICE VERSA.

(D)  "PROGRAM" MEANS THE DUAL PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGE RELAY
PROGRAM FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

(E)  "PROGRAM PARTICIPANT" MEANS A RESIDENT OF THE STATE
CERTIFIED, BY A PHYSICIAN OR AUDIOLOGIST, AS DEAF OR HEARING
IMPAIRED, SPEECH IMPAIRED, VISION AND SPEECH IMPAIRED, OR
MOBILITY IMPAIRED WHO NEEDS A RELAY SYSTEM IN ORDER TO USE THE
BASIC TELEPHONE NETWORK.

(F)  "TELEPHONE COMPANY" INCLUDES ANY PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY
THAT OWNS TELEPHONE LINES FOR THE RECEPTION, TRANSMISSION, OR
COMMUNICATION OF MESSAGES BY TELEPHONE OR TELETYPE, OR THAT
LEASES OR SELLS TELEPHONIC OR TELETYPE COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT.

(G)  "TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE FOR THE DEAF" OR "TDD" MEANS
ALL TYPES OF MECHANICAL DEVICES THAT ENABLE DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
TO TYPE PHONE MESSAGES THROUGH THE TELEPHONE NETWORK.

6-502.

THERE IS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS BOARD
UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

6-503.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
BOARD SHALL ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE
COST-EFFICIENT, 24-HOUR, DUAL PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGE RELAY
SERVICE TO PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS.

6-504.

(A) THE BOARD SHALL BE COMPOSED OF 19 11 INDIVIDUALS
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO SHALL DESIGNATE THE CHAIRMAN,
INCLUDING:

(1) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A LOCAL TELEPHONE COMPANY;

(2) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE
COMPANY;

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