As Introduced

130th General Assembly
Regular Session
2013-2014
H. B. No. 434


Representative Barnes 

Cosponsors: Representatives Patmon, Milkovich 



A BILL
To enact section 3304.55 of the Revised Code to 1
create the Disability Accommodations through 2
Technology Council.3


BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

       Section 1. That section 3304.55 of the Revised Code be 4
enacted to read as follows:5

       Sec. 3304.55.  (A) As used in this section:6

       (1) "Blind" has the same meaning as in section 3304.28 of the 7
Revised Code.8

       (2) "State institution of higher education" has the same 9
meaning as in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code.10

       (B) There is hereby created within the opportunities for 11
Ohioans with disabilities agency the disability accommodations 12
through technology council. The council shall consist of the 13
following nine members appointed by the governor:14

       (1) Three representatives of businesses engaged in the field 15
of technology;16

       (2) Three representatives of state institutions of higher 17
education;18

       (3) Three representatives of the blind community.19

       (C) The governor shall make initial appointments to the 20
council not later than ninety days after the effective date of 21
this section. Of the initial appointments to the council, the 22
governor shall appoint one member who represents business, one 23
member who represents state institutions of higher education, and 24
one member who represents the blind community to a term ending one 25
year after the effective date of this section; one member who 26
represents business, one member who represents state institutions 27
of higher education, and one member who represents the blind 28
community to a term ending two years after the effective date of 29
this section; and one member who represents business, one member 30
who represents state institutions of higher education, and one 31
member who represents the blind community to a term ending three 32
years after the effective date of this section. Thereafter, terms 33
of office shall be for three years, with each term ending on the 34
same day of the same month as did the term that it succeeds. Each 35
member shall hold office from the date of the member's appointment 36
until the end of the term for which the member was appointed.37

       Members may be reappointed to one additional term. Any member 38
appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration date 39
of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall 40
hold office as a member for the remainder of that term. A member 41
shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the 42
member's term until a successor takes office or until a period of 43
sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first.44

       Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but 45
shall be paid the actual and necessary expenses they incur in the 46
performance of their duties.47

       The governor annually shall appoint a chairperson from the 48
members of the council. The governor may reappoint the chairperson 49
to serve one additional term as chairperson. The council shall 50
meet at least six times annually at the times and places 51
designated by the chairperson.52

       (D) The council shall do all of the following:53

       (1) Study and determine methods to improve accommodations for 54
individuals with disabilities through technology;55

       (2) Prepare a report that summarizes the council's findings 56
under division (D)(1) of this section;57

       (3) Beginning one year after the effective date of this 58
section, and every year thereafter, submit the report required 59
under division (D)(2) of this section to the governor.60

       (E) The council may adopt rules as necessary for the conduct 61
of its business. The executive director of the opportunities for 62
Ohioans with disabilities agency shall assign one professional 63
staff person to the council to serve as executive secretary and 64
other personnel as determined advisable.65

       (F) There is hereby created in the state treasury the 66
technology assistance fund. The fund shall consist of donations, 67
gifts, and contributions to the fund the executive director of the 68
opportunities for Ohioans with disabilities agency receives from 69
businesses and of any appropriations made to the fund. The 70
executive director shall use the moneys in the fund to improve 71
accommodations for individuals with disabilities through 72
technology.73