COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
H.
B.
4545
(
By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chambers,
and Delegate Spencer
)
(Originating in the House Committee on Education)
[March 4, 1994]
A BILL to amend article eleven, chapter eighteen-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section four, relating to establishing two assistive device depositories, one located at an institution of higher education in the northern part of the state and the other located in an institution of higher education located in the southern part of the state; providing for coordination of services; developing an inventory of assistive devices and services for people with disabilities; storage and maintenance of assistive devices; and providing that depositories may receive public and private funds.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article eleven, chapter eighteen-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section four, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS INSTITUTES AND CENTERS.
§
18B-11-4. Depositories for assistive devices and services.
There is hereby created under the authority, supervision and direction of the two governing boards of the state institutions of higher education, two assistive device depositories, one of which is to be located in a state supported college or university in the northern part of the state and the other depository is to be located in a state supported college or university in the southern part of the state. Each assistive device depository shall obtain assistive devices either through public or private funding, develop an inventory of assistive devices and services for individuals with disabilities, catalog equipment, receive and fulfill requests, track and maintain assistive devices.
In coordination with the secretary of education and the arts, the governing boards shall establish the depositories upon receipt of line item appropriations by the Legislature for such purposes. Educational agencies, including public and private educational agencies, public and private service agencies, individuals, families and communities shall have access to these depositories and the equipment and services available at each depository. Public and private higher education institutions shall have priority access to the depositories.
Each depository shall coordinate its activities with the West Virginia assistive technology system at the university affiliated center for developmental disabilities. Each depository shall undertake outreach efforts and shall coordinate services and equipment programs with other state and local agencies to share resources.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to develop and operate two assistive device and service depositories to be located in institutions of higher education, one of which is in the northern part of the state and the other in the southern part of the state. The bill provides that the governing boards of higher education in coordination with the Secretary of Education are to establish the depositories from current resources. The bill provides that access to the equipment and services in the depositories shall be made available to individuals, families and communities, public and private agencies and educational agencies. Priority access is given to institutions of higher education.