S.B. 241

VETOES

(5) at the time of application is not receiving similar services which are
available and can be provided in a timely manner through another program.

(F) "QUALIFIED ENTITY" MEANS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH:

(I)      PRODUCES AUDIO EDITIONS OF DAILY NEWSPAPERS,
AVAILABLE FOR INTERSTATE DISTRIBUTION USING HIGH-SPEED COMPUTER AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY; AND

(II)     PROVIDES A MEANS OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND
READER REGISTRATION ON THE INTERNET.

[(e)] (G) "Specialized customer premises equipment" or "equipment" means
any communications devices designed to assist program participants in using the
basic telephone network.

[(f)] (H) "System" means the method which the Department shall use to
provide financial assistance to eligible program participants for the purchase of the
equipment.

3-902.

(a) The Department in consultation with the Board and the Governor's Office
for Individuals with Disabilities shall establish and administer a program to assist
eligible program participants to purchase specialized customer premises equipment
AND FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS UNDER § 3-906 OF THIS SUBTITLE in
accordance with § 3-807 of this title and the State budget.

3-906.

(A)     THE DEPARTMENT IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD AND THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES SHALL ENTER INTO AN
AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DIVISION OF LIBRARY
DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES, PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL PAYMENT TO BE MADE
TO THE DIVISION IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE COST INCURRED FOR THE
DISTRIBUTION OF ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION.

(B)     UNDER THE AGREEMENT THE DIVISION SHALL PROVIDE ELIGIBLE BLIND
AND DISABLED INDIVIDUALS WITH ACCESS TO AN AUDIO NEWS AND INFORMATION
SERVICE PRODUCED BY A QUALIFIED ENTITY.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2003.

May 22, 2003

The Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
President of the Senate
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

Dear Mr. President:

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