HB 201 -- ACCESS TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

This bill requires the Missouri Technology Council and the
Office of Information Technology to ensure state compliance with
federal laws regarding accessibility of information technology
for individuals with disabilities.  When developing, procuring,
maintaining, or using information technology, state agencies
must allow employees, program participants, and members of the
public access to and use of information and data that is
comparable to the access by individuals without disabilities.
The council and the Office of Information Technology must adopt
accessibility standards to be used by state agencies in the
procurement of information technology.  Review procedures must
be implemented to be used to evaluate the accessibility of
custom designed information technology systems.  Training and
technical assistance for state agencies must be provided for
state departments and agencies to assure procurement of
information technology that meets adopted accessibility
standards.  Complaint procedures must also be established for
individuals with a disability who allege that a state department
or agency fails to comply with state disability law.

The bill removes the December 31, 2003, expiration date of the
Advisory Technology Council.  Language related to an expired
grant is also removed.

HB 201 -- STATE PROCUREMENT (Boucher)

This bill requires the Missouri Technology Council and the
Office of Information Technology to assure state compliance with
federal laws regarding accessibility of information technology
for individuals with disabilities.  When developing, procuring,
maintaining, or using information technology state agencies must
allow employees, program participants, and members of the public
access to and use of information and data that is comparable to
the access by individuals without disabilities.  The council and
the Office of Information Technology must adopt accessibility
standards to be used by state agencies in the procurement of
information technology.  Review procedures must be implemented
to be used to evaluate the accessibility of custom designed
information technology systems.  Training and technical
assistance for state agencies must be provided for state
departments and agencies to assure procurement of information
technology that meets adopted accessibility standards.
Complaint procedures must also be established for individuals
with a disability who allege that a state department or agency
fails to comply with state disability law.

The bill removes the December 31, 2003, expiration date of the
Advisory Technology Council.  Language related to an expired
grant is also removed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Costs to Various State Funds of
Unknown in FY 2000, FY 2001, and FY 2002.  Costs not expected to
exceed $100,000.

HB 201 -- STATE PROCUREMENT

SPONSOR:  Boucher

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Governmental Organization and Review by a vote of 10 to 0.

This bill requires the Missouri Technology Council and the
Office of Information Technology to assure state compliance with
federal laws regarding accessibility of information technology
for individuals with disabilities.  When developing, procuring,
maintaining, or using information technology state agencies must
allow employees, program participants, and members of the public
access to and use of information and data that is comparable to
the access by individuals without disabilities.  The council and
the Office of Information Technology must adopt accessibility
standards to be used by state agencies in the procurement of
information technology.  Review procedures must be implemented
to be used to evaluate the accessibility of custom designed
information technology systems.  Training and technical
assistance for state agencies must be provided for state
departments and agencies to assure procurement of information
technology that meets adopted accessibility standards.
Complaint procedures must also be established for individuals
with a disability who allege that a state department or agency
fails to comply with state disability law.

The bill removes the December 31, 2003, expiration date of the
Advisory Technology Council.  Language related to an expired
grant is also removed.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Costs to Various State Funds of
Unknown in FY 2000, FY 2001, and FY 2002.  Costs not expected to
exceed $100,000.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill gives the state
authority to purchase the correct technology when making initial
purchases.  The purchase of software is often all that is needed
to help the disabled user of computer equipment.  This bill does
not force the state to purchase technology; it only requires it
to set up procedures for future purchases.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Boucher; Missouri
Assistive Technology Council; and National Federation of the
Blind.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 201 -- State Procurement

Sponsor:  Boucher

This bill requires the Missouri Technology Council and the
Office of Information Technology to assure state compliance with
federal laws regarding accessibility of information technology
for individuals with disabilities.  When developing, procuring,
maintaining, or using information technology state agencies must
allow employees, program participants, and members of the public
access to and use of information and data that is comparable to
the access by individuals without disabilities.  The council and
the Office of Information Technology must adopt accessibility
standards to be used by state agencies in the procurement of
information technology.  Review procedures must be implemented
to be used to evaluate the accessibility of custom designed
information technology systems.  Training and technical
assistance for state agencies must be provided for state
departments and agencies to assure procurement of information
technology that meets adopted accessibility standards.
Complaint procedures must also be established for individuals
with a disability who allege that a state department or agency
fails to comply with state disability law.

The bill removes the December 31, 2003, expiration date of the
Advisory Technology Council.  Language related to an expired
grant is also removed.