House Bill 435 amends the Telecommunications Access System Act of 1991 to improve accessibility for individuals with hearing loss, speech impairments, or who are deafblind. The bill updates the legislative findings, purpose, and intent of the Act, and redefines key terms, such as changing "hearing impaired" to "persons with hearing loss" and introducing "specialized communications technology." It expands the Florida Public Service Commission's responsibilities to include overseeing the distribution of specialized telecommunications devices and mandates that each county sheriff's department's central communications office must purchase and operate at least one telecommunications device for the deaf.

Additionally, the bill establishes new eligibility requirements for accessing specialized communications technology based on income or participation in state or federal programs, while clarifying that these requirements do not apply to standard telecommunications devices. It also revises the administrator's responsibilities for the telecommunications access system, including the purchase and maintenance of specialized devices, and introduces a cost recovery mechanism through a surcharge on local exchange telecommunications services. The advisory committee will now include representatives from advocacy organizations, ensuring that the perspectives of affected communities are considered in the system's development and operation. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 435 Filed: 427.708