Substitute Senate Bill No. 1055 Summary

• Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may accept gifts, grants, reimbursements, and bequests for department purposes if consistent with state and federal law, effective July 1, 2021.

• Commissioner shall maintain a register of blind persons describing their condition, cause of blindness, and capacity for education; establish low vision care criteria and maintain an approved list of ophthalmologists and optometrists authorized to receive agency funds.

• Commissioner shall provide Department of Motor Vehicles with quarterly-updated list of individuals age 16+ determined blind by physicians, advanced practice nurses, or optometrists, with simultaneous written notification to affected individuals.

• Renames Assistive Technology Revolving Fund to Assistive Technology Loan Program for making loans up to 10 years at fixed rates not exceeding 6% to persons with disabilities and older adults; authorizes State Bond Commission to issue up to $1 million in bonds.

• Expands Advisory Board for Persons Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind membership to include representation for deafblind individuals and requires accessible voting materials in braille, large print, audio form, voice, and sign language.