BILL ANALYSIS 1 1 SENATE ENERGY, UTILITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE DEBRA BOWEN, CHAIRWOMAN AB 2784 - Chavez Hearing Date: June 11, 2002 A As Introduced: February 25, 2002 FISCAL B 2 7 8 4 DESCRIPTION Current law establishes programs to enable and subsidize telecommunications service for the deaf, hearing impaired, visually impaired and handicapped, collectively known as the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program (DDTP). Current law establishes a fund in the state treasury to receive monies in support of this program and to disburse monies to pay for this program. Current law requires certification by a licensed physician or surgeon before a customer can participate in the disabled DDTP program. This bill permits a licensed optometrist to provide the certification. BACKGROUND Since the 1980's, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has administered programs to assist the deaf and disabled in using telephone service. The programs provide specialized telecommunications equipment, discounted telephone rates, and a telecommunications translator service, known as a dual-party relay service, through which the deaf can communicate with others. Funding for these programs is provided by a surcharge on telecommunications service, which has been kept in accounts administered by the CPUC. The aggregate program costs are about $50 million annually. Roughly 34,000 blind or visually impaired people take advantage of the DDTP program, representing 19% of total program participants, with about 800 new enrollees each month. These participants can obtain speed dialing capabilities and extra operator assistance without charge through the DDTP program. COMMENTS The Legislature has previously expanded the types of professionals who can certify qualification for the DDTP programs to include professionals other than physicians or surgeons. AB 1051 (Bordonaro), Chapter 38, Statutes of 1998, authorized licensed hearing aide dispensers to qualify deaf individuals for the DDTP program. ASSEMBLY VOTES Assembly Floor (67-0) Assembly Appropriations Committee (23-0) Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee(12-0) POSITIONS Sponsor: California Optometric Association Society for the Blind Support: California Council of the Blind California Public Utilities Commission Oppose: None on file Randy Chinn AB 2784 Analysis Hearing Date: June 11, 2002