Senate Bill 440 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Code § 25-26-201 to clarify that individuals who are blind or visually impaired have the right to access advanced information technology provided to other employees and the public, and shall receive reasonable accommodations if accessible technology is not reasonably available.

• Adds definition of "reasonably available" to mean technology developed and available for purchase from either the original vendor or another vendor if available from multiple sources in the marketplace.

• Updates procurement standards to reference 36 C.F.R § 1194.21 and § 1194.22 as they existed on January 1, 2013 (rather than 2011), ensuring compliance with current federal accessibility standards for software and web-based systems.

• Requires nonvisual access technology to be compatible with other information technology systems used by sighted employees and the public, and to be integrated into organizational networks.

• Applies the law retroactively to information technology procured on or after July 30, 1999, including upgrades and replacements, and declares an emergency due to burdens on state agencies from previous restrictions.