Bill > HB1479

This bill amends Title 71 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to create a new chapter establishing the Office of Information Technology. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. The bill defines important terms, such as "accessibility," "disability," and "public entity," which include the Commonwealth, its departments and agencies, as well as municipalities. 2. The bill requires the Chief Information Officer of the Office of Information Technology to maintain accessibility standards for information technology systems used by public entities, ensuring compatibility with adaptive technologies and accessible formats for visual and non-visual use. 3. Public entities are required to develop and implement plans to make their public-facing facilities and online content accessible to individuals with disabilities, with the Office of Information Technology collaborating on the implementation. 4. The Office of Information Technology is also tasked with establishing minimum standards and criteria for the procurement of adaptive technologies by public entities. 5. The bill also clarifies that the accessibility requirements do not mandate the installation of accessibility software or peripheral devices when the information technology is being used by individuals without disabilities.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2023&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1479