Bill > HB485

This bill establishes a new chapter in Pennsylvania state law to create an Office of Information Technology (OIT) focused on improving digital accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The bill defines key terms such as "accessibility" (meaning digital content that can be equally accessed by people with disabilities), "disability" (using the Americans with Disabilities Act definition), and "public entity" (which includes state departments, municipalities, and agencies, but excludes courts, the legislature, and certain educational institutions). The chief information officer of the OIT will be responsible for maintaining accessibility standards for information technology systems, ensuring they are compatible with adaptive technologies and designed for both visual and nonvisual use. Public entities must develop written implementation plans for these accessibility standards, with a deadline of submitting plans by July 1, 2026, and fully implementing them by July 1, 2028. The bill also requires the OIT to create procurement standards for adaptive technologies and ensures that when information technology is upgraded or replaced, it must be compatible with accessibility software and devices. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these accessibility requirements do not mandate special installations when the technology is used by individuals without disabilities, but do require that systems be fundamentally compatible with accessibility tools.

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https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=485