Bill > S02186

This bill establishes the Accessible Electronic Information Act to support blind and disabled individuals' access to news and information through electronic services. The legislation creates a special fund administered by the Department of Public Service that will be financed by an annual assessment of up to $75,000 on telecommunications companies. The bill builds upon the National Federation of the Blind's NEWSLINE program, which has been providing visually impaired New Yorkers with access to newspapers, magazines, job listings, and other printed materials since 2002. A qualified not-for-profit entity will be authorized to provide an accessible electronic information service for individuals eligible for library loan services through the Library of Congress, using high-speed computers and telecommunications technology to distribute content in formats appropriate for blind and disabled users. The service will aim to maximize funding from federal, state, private, and other sources, and will include features like internet-based program administration and reader registration. The bill will take effect 90 days after becoming law, with provisions allowing for preliminary regulatory preparations.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2186