MN HF1962

Establishes a 12-member legislative employee working group on accessibility measures, with appointments due by June 1, 2019, and the first meeting by July 15, 2019, expiring no later than January 15, 2025.

Requires the Senate, House, and joint legislative offices to comply with accessibility standards adopted for state agencies by the chief information officer under Minnesota Statutes section 16E.03, subdivision 9, effective September 1, 2021, unless a responsible authority approves an exception.

Mandates the chief information officer provide technical support at no cost to the legislature, including clarifying accessibility requirements, providing templates for software applications, assisting with staff training, and helping develop accessible legislative documents.

Directs the working group to submit a report by January 15, 2020, identifying gaps in accessibility measures, barriers to compliance, proposing an exception process, and estimating costs for updates.

Appropriates unspecified general fund amounts in fiscal year 2020 to the Senate, House, and Legislative Coordinating Commission to support the working group and implement accessibility standards.