Bill > HB1066

This bill amends Tennessee's vocational services law to expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to operate vending facilities on public property, particularly in locations where licensed blind vending facility operators have chosen not to operate. The bill establishes a process for non-blind individuals with disabilities to be trained and licensed to operate these facilities, with blind operators retaining first preference. The legislation requires the department of human services to create rules for investigating complaints about vending facility operators, both blind and non-blind, and provides a framework for disciplinary actions if performance issues arise. Specifically, the bill allows for corrective action plans, retraining, probation, or removal of licenses for operators who receive substantiated complaints. The bill also mandates that funding for non-blind operators must come from their individual vocational rehabilitation plans and explicitly prevents funds from the business enterprise program for the blind from being used to support these new vending facility operators. Additionally, the department must follow a specific protocol when reassigning vending facilities, always first checking if blind operators are interested before offering the facility to another licensed individual with a disability.

Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1066&ga=114