MN SF1727

Senate, house of representatives, and joint legislative offices must comply with accessibility standards adopted for state agencies by the chief information officer for technology, software, and hardware procurement, effective September 1, 2021, unless a responsible authority approves an exception.

Chief information officer must provide technical support to the legislature at no cost, including clarifying requirements, providing templates for common software applications, developing staff training, and assisting with technical applications to make legislative documents fully accessible.

Establishes a 12-member legislative employee working group on accessibility measures with members appointed by the senate majority leader, house speaker, and Legislative Coordinating Commission chair from various legislative offices.

Working group must submit a report by January 15, 2020, identifying gaps in current accessibility measures, barriers to compliance, recommending an exception process, describing an update plan, and estimating costs.

Appropriates unspecified amounts in fiscal year 2020 from the general fund to the senate, house of representatives, and Legislative Coordinating Commission to support the working group and implement accessibility standards.