SPONSOR: Barnes
Under this bill, the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing must establish a statewide communication access services program to collaborate with state and local agencies and communication access service providers to create a registry of providers in every region of the State that offer accommodations to individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. The Commission will establish standards for those providers joining the registry and create a website for the registry and related information, including information about other resources available for individuals, agencies, and businesses needing to access communication access services. The Commission must submit an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly containing information as described in the bill. Additionally, this bill creates the "Communication Access Services Fund" and the Commission must, subject to appropriations, distribute grants from the Fund to assist individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing, or businesses or agencies servicing such individuals, with accessing communication access services in Missouri.
This bill is similar to SB 766 (2025).
Statutes affected: