HOUSE BILL NO. 244

By Representative West

Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 480

By Senators Haynes, Miller, Cohen, Harper, Dixon

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 1, relative to a toll-free telephone number for deaf citizens to phone the Legislature.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 1, Part 1, is amended by adding the following as a new section:

The General Assembly shall establish a toll-free telephone service using a telecommunications device for the deaf to enable deaf citizens to call the Legislature free of charge. One (1) toll-free telephone line using a telecommunications device for the deaf shall be used and shall be in operation Monday through Friday for twelve (12) hours beginning at seven o'clock (7:00) a.m. and ending at seven o'clock (7:00) p.m., central time, during the legislative session of the General Assembly. By use of a voice mail system which employs technology that serves deaf persons, such service will enable deaf members of the public to leave messages for members of the General Assembly, receive information pertaining to the legislative calendars for the Senate and House of Representatives, and receive information on the status of legislation currently before the General Assembly.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 1997, the public welfare requiring it.