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[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1285 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1285

To reauthorize and improve a program of grants to States to promote the 
    provision of technology-related assistance to individuals with 
                 disabilities, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                July 26 (legislative day, June 30), 1993

 Mr. Harkin (by request) introduced the following bill; which was read 
    twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
To reauthorize and improve a program of grants to States to promote the 
    provision of technology-related assistance to individuals with 
                 disabilities, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be 
cited as the ``Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with 
Disabilities Amendments of 1993''.

                          findings and purpose

    Sec. 2. Section 2(b) of the Technology-Related Assistance for 
Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.; 
hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the material that precedes subparagraph (A), 
                by inserting ``comprehensive,'' after ``implement a'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking out 
                ``policies, practices, and procedures'' and inserting 
                in lieu thereof ``laws, regulations, policies, 
                practices, procedures, and organizational structures'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking out ``of and 
                funding for the provision of'' and inserting in lieu 
                thereof ``of, access to, provision of, and funding 
                for'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (F), by striking out ``and'' at 
                the end thereof;
                    (E) in subparagraph (G), by striking out the period 
                at the end thereof and inserting in lieu thereof a 
                semicolon and ``and''; and
                    (F) by adding at the end thereof a new subparagraph 
                to read as follows:
                    ``(H) increase the involvement of individuals with 
                disabilities (and, if appropriate, their family 
                members, guardians, advocates, and authorized 
                representatives) in the planning, development, 
                implementation, and assessment of technology-related 
                assistance programs, and in decisions related to the 
                provision of assistive technology devices and assistive 
                technology services.'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking out ``, 
                information, and training and public awareness'' and 
                inserting in lieu thereof ``and information''; and
                    (B) by striking out subparagraph (B) and inserting 
                in lieu thereof a new subparagraph to read as follows:
                    ``(B) other assistance needed to ensure that the 
                comprehensive, consumer-responsive statewide system 
                developed with Federal support under this Act will 
                continue after such support has ended.''; and
            (3) by adding at the end thereof a new paragraph to read as 
        follows:
            ``(4) To promote systems change, in order to facilitate 
        access to, provision of, and funding for technology-related 
        assistance to individuals with disabilities.''.

                              definitions

    Sec. 3. Section 3 of the Act is amended--
            (1) by adding at the end thereof three new paragraphs to 
        read as follows:
            ``(9) Consumer-responsive.--The term `consumer-responsive' 
        means--
                    ``(A) accessible to individuals with disabilities 
                and, if requested or required by such individuals, 
                their family members, guardians, advocates, or 
                authorized representatives;
                    ``(B) meeting the needs of individuals with 
                disabilities in a timely and appropriate manner; and
                    ``(C) facilitating the full participation and 
                inclusion of individuals with disabilities in decisions 
                relating to--
                            (i) the provision of assistive technology 
                        devices and assistive technology services to 
                        particular individuals; and
                            (ii) the planning, development, 
                        implementation, and assessment of the statewide 
                        system of technology-related assistance to 
                        individuals with disabilities.
            ``(10) Protection and advocacy services.--The term 
        `protection and advocacy services' means services that are 
        authorized under part C of the Developmental Disabilities 
        Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6041 et seq.), the 
        Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act of 
        1986 (42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.), and section 509 of the 
        Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794e) and that assist 
        individuals with disabilities and their family members, 
        guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to gain 
        access to assistive technology devices and assistive technology 
        services.
            ``(11) Systems change.--The term `systems change' means 
        reform that results in laws, regulations, policies, procedures, 
        practices, or organizational structures that facilitate access 
        to, provision of, and funding for assistive technology devices 
        and assistive technology services to individuals with 
        disabilities and other appropriate individuals or 
        organizations, in order to empower individuals with 
        disabilities to achieve greater independence, productivity, and 
        inclusion within the community and the work force.''; and
            (2) by striking out paragraph (4); and
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), 
        (9), (10), and (11) as paragraphs (4), (6), (7), (9), (10), 
        (3), (5), and (8), respectively.

                          mandated activities

    Sec. 4. Section 101 of the Act is amended by striking out 
subsection (b) and inserting in lieu thereof a new subsection to read 
as follows:
    ``(b) Mandated Activities.--Any State that receives a grant under 
this title shall undertake activities to implement systems change, as 
defined in section 3. These activities shall include--
            ``(1) a review and, where appropriate, modification of 
        laws, regulations, policies, practices, procedures, and 
        organizational structures that affect access to, provision of, 
        and funding for assistive technology devices and assistive 
        technology services;
            ``(2) coordination among State agencies, in order to 
        facilitate access to, provision of, and funding for assistive 
        technology devices and assistive technology services; and
            ``(3) information dissemination and other activities, 
        including training, that empower individuals with disabilities 
        to obtain technology-related assistance and that facilitate a 
        consumer-responsive system.''.

                         authorized activities

    Sec. 5. Section 101(c) of the Act is amended--
            (1) in the material preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        out ``functions described in subsection (b)'' and inserting in 
        lieu thereof ``purposes of this Act'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and'' at the 
                end thereof;
                    (B) by striking out subparagraph (C); and
                    (C) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as 
                subparagraph (C);
            (3) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking out subparagraph (G); and
                    (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (H) and (I) as 
                subparagraphs (G) and (H), respectively;
            (4) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking out ``and'' at 
                the end thereof;
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking out the period 
                at the end thereof and inserting in lieu thereof a 
                semicolon and ``and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end thereof a new subparagraph 
                to read as follows:
                    ``(D) outreach activities to underserved groups.''
            (5) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) by inserting after the first sentence, a new 
                sentence to read as follows: ``The information system 
                may be organized on an interstate basis or as part of a 
                regional consortium of States, thereby facilitating the 
                establishment of compatible, linked information 
                systems.''; and
                    (B) by striking out ``preceding sentence'' and 
                inserting in lieu thereof ``preceding sentences'';
            (6) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (15); and
            (7) by inserting after paragraph (7) seven new paragraphs 
        to read as follows:
            ``(8) Alternative state-financed systems.--The State may 
        support development and implementation of alternative State-
        financed systems of subsidies or loan mechanisms for the 
        provision of assistive technology devices and assistive 
        technology services to individuals with disabilities who need 
        but cannot afford such devices or services without assistance, 
        including--
                    ``(A) a loan system for assistive technology 
                devices;
                    ``(B) a low-interest loan fund;
                    ``(C) a revolving fund;
                    ``(D) a loan insurance program; and
                    ``(E) a partnership with private entities for the 
                purchase, lease, or other acquisition or provision of 
                such devices or services.
            ``(9) Support for expenses.--The State may use funds under 
        this title for program-related expenses of individuals with 
        disabilities who are involved in the planning, development, 
        implementation, or assessment of the statewide system, 
        including payments for travel, qualified interpreters, readers, 
        personal care assistants, and other services needed for 
        participation by these individuals.
            ``(10) Demonstration of equipment.--The State may support a 
        program of demonstration and try-outs of assistive technology 
        devices, including a mechanism that allows the ultimate user of 
        such device to use that device on a trial basis prior to its 
        purchase, in order to determine whether the device meets the 
        needs of that user.
            ``(11) Partnerships.--The State may support partnerships 
        with private non-profit and for-profit agencies and 
        organizations to promote greater participation by business and 
        industry in the development, demonstration, and distribution of 
        assistive technology devices, and in the on-going provision of 
        information about new assistive technology devices to assist 
        individuals with disabilities.
            ``(12) Case management.--The State may provide case 
        management services to help individuals with disabilities to 
        identify and obtain access to the assistive technology devices 
        and assistive technology services they need, including, as 
        appropriate, sources of funding to obtain such devices and 
        services.
            ``(13) ADA assistance.--The State may support activities to 
        assist employers and others who are subject to the requirements 
        of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12111 
        et seq.) on the uses of technology-related assistance to meet 
        the requirements of that Act.
            ``(14) Recycling activities.--The State may support 
        activities, including the establishment of information systems 
        and recycling centers, for the redistribution of assistive 
        technology devices and other devices that may be used to create 
        assistive technology devices.''.

                        application requirements

    Sec. 6. (a) Designation of Responsible Entity.--Section 102(e)(1) 
is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as 
        clauses (i) through (vi);
            (2) by inserting the subparagraph designation ``(A)'' after 
        ``Designation of responsible entity.--''; and
            (3) by adding at the end thereof the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(B) The entity designated under subparagraph (A) 
                shall provide evidence of its ability to--
                            ``(i) exercise leadership in identifying 
                        and responding statewide to the assistive 
                        technology needs of all individuals with 
                        disabilities in the State;
                            ``(ii) promote and accomplish systems 
                        change;
                            ``(iii) promote and accomplish public-
                        private partnerships and interagency 
                        coordination;
                            ``(iv) promote consumer confidence, 
                        responsiveness, and advocacy; and
                            ``(v) exercise leadership in developing and 
                        implementing effective strategies for capacity 
                        building, including training, and enhancement 
                        of access to funding.
                    ``(C) Subparagraph (B) shall apply only at the time 
                that a State is applying for a grant under this title, 
                or wishes to redesignate its responsible State 
                entity.''.
    (b) Agency Involvement and Coordination.--Section 102(e)(2) of the 
Act is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``and coordination'' after 
        ``involvement'';
            (2) by inserting the subparagraph designation ``(A)'' after 
        ``and coordination.--'';
            (3) by striking out the period at the end of subparagraph 
        (A) and inserting in lieu thereof a comma and ``including the 
        identification of the available resources and the 
        responsibility of each agency for providing assistive 
        technology devices and assistive technology services; and''; 
        and
            (4) by adding at the end thereof a new subparagraph to read 
        as follows:
                    ``(B) an assurance that the State will coordinate 
                its activities under this grant with State councils 
                established under the Developmental Disabilities 
                Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act, section 1916(e) of the 
                Public Health Service Act, and the Rehabilitation Act 
                of 1973.''.
    (c) Consumer Involvement.--Section 102(e)(3) of the Act is amended 
to read as follows:
            ``(3) Consumer involvement.--A description of--
                    ``(A) the nature and extent of involvement of 
                individuals with disabilities, their family members, 
                guardians, advocates, authorized representatives, and 
                other appropriate individuals in--
                            ``(i) the development of the application 
                        for a grant under this Act;
                            ``(ii) the designation of the responsible 
                        entity described in paragraph (1);
                            ``(iii) the development of the plan for 
                        systems change described in paragraph (6); and
                            ``(iv) the annual assessment described in 
                        paragraph (7);
                    ``(B) the process the State engaged in (including 
                outreach activities to obtain input from underserved 
                groups) to obtain imput on its application and plan for 
                systems change from the individuals described in 
                paragraph (A), a summary of the comments that State 
                received from such individuals, and an analysis of how 
                the State addressed these comments in preparing its 
                application and plan for systems change; and
                    ``(C) the ways in which the State will promote the 
                involvement of individuals with disabilities or, if 
                appropriate, their family members, guardians, 
                advocates, or authorized representatives in--
                            ``(i) decisions relating to the provision 
                        of assistive technology devices and assistive 
                        technology services to particular individuals; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) the planning, development, 
                        implementation, and assessment of the statewide 
                        system of technology-related assistance.''.
    (d) Plan for Systems Change.--Section 102(e)(6) of the Act is 
amended to read as follows:
            ``(6) Plan for systems change.--A description of--
                    ``(A) the goals and objectives for achieving 
                systems change within the State, and the State's plan 
                for accomplishing these goals and objectives, including 
                a description of how the State will carry out the 
                systems change activities required under section 
                101(b); and
                    ``(B) the gaps that remain in the development or 
                implementation of a comprehensive, consumer-responsive 
                statewide system of technology-related assistance, and 
                a description of the strategies that the State will 
                pursue during the grant period to remedy these gaps.''.
    (e) Assessment.--Section 102(e)(7) of the Act is amended to read as 
follows:
            ``(7) Assessment.--An assurance that the State will conduct 
        an annual assessment of the statewide system of technology-
        related assistance, in order to determine--
                    ``(A) the extent to which the State's goals and 
                objectives for systems change, as identified in the 
                State plan under paragraph (6), have been achieved; and
                    ``(B) the areas of need that require attention in 
                the next year.''
    (f) Additional Requirements.--Section 102(e) of the Act is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (17) as paragraph (21); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (16) new paragraphs to 
        read as follows:
            ``(17) Underserved groups.--A description of how the State 
        will address the needs of individuals with disabilities who are 
        part of an underserved group, as defined in section 3, 
        including a description of the State's plan to conduct outreach 
        activities to these individuals.
            ``(18) Training.--An assurance that the State will develop 
        and implement strategies for incorporating training on 
        assistive technology in the training that the State provides, 
        using State or Federal funds, to special education teachers and 
        related services personnel, rehabilitation professionals, and 
        other appropriate service providers.
            ``(19) Consumer assistance, protection, and advocacy.--
        Assurances that the State will--
                    ``(A) provide protection and advocacy services, as 
                required under section 106, using not less than the 
                amount specified by the Secretary each fiscal year for 
                this purpose; and
                    ``(B) inform individuals with disabilities, or, if 
                appropriate, their family members, guardians, 
                advocates, or authorized representatives, or the 
                availability of protection and advocacy services, and 
                of assistance under the client assistance program 
                authorized under section 112 of the Rehabilitation Act 
                of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 732).
            ``(20) Indirect costs.--An assurance that no more than 15 
        percent of grant funds will be used for indirect costs.

                            extension grants

    Sec. 7. (a) Additional Grant; Corrective Action.--Section 103(a) of 
the Act is amended--
            (1) by inserting the paragraph designation ``(1)'' and 
        ``Initial extension grant.--'' after ``General Authority.--'';
            (2) by striking out ``implementing'' and all that follows 
        through the end thereof and inserting in lieu thereof 
        ``implementing a comprehensive, consumer-responsive statewide 
        system of technology-related assistance that incorporates the 
        mandatory activities required by section 101(b) and other 
        activities facilitating systems change.'';
            (3) by adding at the end thereof two new paragraphs to read 
        as follows:
            ``(2) Additional extension grant.--The Secretary may award 
        an additional extension grant, of not more than 5 years, to any 
        State that demonstrates to the Secretary that the State--
                    ``(A) has made significant progress in meeting the 
                goals of the initial extension grant it received under 
                paragraph (1); and
                    ``(B) needs additional Federal support to complete 
                systems change activities and achieve the purposes of 
                this Act.
            ``(3) Lack of significant progress.--If the Secretary 
        determines that, at the time that the State applies for an 
        extension grant under paragraph (1) or an additional extension 
        grant under paragraph (2), the State has not made significant 
        progress to warrant award of the applicable grant, the State 
        may be subject to penalties or the Secretary may require the 
        State to carry out a corrective action plan, as provided in 
        section 201(b).''.
    (b) Application Requirements.--Section 103(c) of the Act is 
amended--
            (1) in the phrase preceding paragraph (1), by striking out 
        ``under this section'' and all that follows through the colon 
        and inserting in lieu thereof ``under subsection (a)(1) or an 
        additional extension grant under subsection (a)(2) shall submit 
        an application that contains the information and assurances 
        required for a development grant described in section 102(e), 
        except the preliminary needs assessment described in section 
        102(e)(4). The State shall follow the requirements for the 
        designation or redesignation of a responsible entity under 
        subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 102(e)(1). The application 
        for an initial extension grant or additional extension grant 
        shall also contain the following:'';
            (2) in paragraph (1), by striking out ``families or'' and 
        inserting in lieu thereof ``the family members, guardians, 
        advocates, or authorized'';
            (3) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(2) Activities and progress under previous grant.--A 
        description of the specific activities carried out under the 
        development grant received under section 102, or, if 
        applicable, under the extension grant received under subsection 
        (a)(1), including a description of the relationship of these 
        activities to, and the progress made toward, the development 
        and implementation of a comprehensive, consumer-responsive 
        statewide system of technology related-assistance.'';
            (4) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ``under 
                section 102 or the extension grant under section 
                103(a)(1), as appropriate'' after ``development 
                grant''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``under 
                section 102 or the extension grant under section 
                103(a)(1), as appropriate'' after ``development 
                grant'';
            (5) by striking out paragraph (6); and
            (6) by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (6).
    (c) Ongoing Efforts and Federal Contribution.--Section 103 of the 
Act is amended by adding at the end thereof two new subsections to read 
as follows:
    ``(d) Application for Additional Extension Grant.--Any State that 
desires to receive an extension grant under section 103(a)(2) shall 
submit an application that contains, in addition to the requirements 
set forth in subsection (c), a description of the steps it has taken or 
will take to continue on a permanent basis a comprehensive, consumer-
responsive statewide system of technology-related assistance to 
individuals with disabilities, which system shall be able to maintain, 
at a minimum, the activities mandated in section 101(b).
    ``(e) Federal Award for Additional Grant.--(1) The amount awarded 
to a State under subsection (a)(2) for the fourth year of the grant 
period shall not exceed 80 percent of the amount awarded to the State 
for the third year of the grant period.
    ``(2) The amount awarded to a State under subsection (a)(2) for the 
fifth year of the grant period shall not exceed 60 percent of the 
amount awarded to the State for the third year of the grant period.''.

                            progress reports

    Sec. 8. Section 104 of the Act is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 104. PROGRESS REPORTS.

    ``Any State that receives a grant under this title shall annually 
submit to the Secretary a report that--
            ``(1) describes the progress the State has made, as 
        determined in the State's annual assessment, in achieving the 
        State's goals and objectives for systems change, as identified 
        in the State plan under section 102(e)(6), and areas of need 
        that require attention in the next year;
            ``(2) analyzes the laws, regulations, policies, practices, 
        procedures, and organizational structures that the State has 
        changed, has attempted to change, or will attempt to change 
        during the next grant period, to facilitate the accessibility, 
        provision, or funding of assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services;
            ``(3) describes any written policies and procedures that 
        the State has developed and implemented relating to the 
        accessibility, provision, and funding of assistive technology 
        devices and assistive technology services, including policies 
        and procedures relating to the accessibility, provision, and 
        funding of such devices and services under special education, 
        rehabilitation, and medical assistance programs;
            ``(4) describes any interagency agreements that the State 
        has developed and implemented relating to accessibility, 
        provision, and funding of assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services, including agreements that 
        identify available resources for assistive technology devices 
        and assistive technology services and the responsibility for 
        providing for such devices and services;
            ``(5) describes activities undertaken to disseminate 
        information about the documents or activities analyzed or 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (4), including outreach 
        activities to underserved groups;
            ``(6) describes the involvement of individuals with 
        disabilities in the planning, development, implementation, and 
        assessment of the statewide system, including activities 
        undertaken to improve such involvement, such as consumer 
        training and outreach activities; and
            ``(7) describes unanticipated problems with the achievement 
        of the State's plan for systems change and activities the State 
        has undertaken or plans to undertake to rectify these 
        problems.''.

                  state and national responsibilities

    Sec. 9. The Act is amended--
            (1) in title II--
                    (A) by amending the heading to read as follows: 
                ``STATE AND NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES''; and
                    (B) by repealing parts A through D; and
            (2) by redesignating sections 105, 106, and 107, as 
        sections 201, 204, and 202, respectively.

             systems change plans; protection and advocacy

    Sec. 10. Title I of the Act is amended by adding at the end thereof 
two new sections to read as follows:

``SEC. 105. TIMETABLE FOR SYSTEMS CHANGE PLAN.

    ``Any State that receives a grant under this title shall transmit 
to the Secretary a plan for systems change, as described in section 
102(e)(6), by the earlier of--
            ``(1) 12 months after enactment of the Technology-Related 
        Assistance Amendments of 1993''; or
            ``(2) the date on which the State submits an application 
        for an extension grant under section 103(a)(1) or 103(a)(2).

``SEC. 106. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SERVICES.

    ``(a) In General.--Each State receiving a grant under this title 
shall provide protection and advocacy services relating to technology-
related assistance to individuals with disabilities, using not less 
than the amount specified by the Secretary for this purpose, as 
provided in subsection (b).
    ``(b) Calculation of Expenditures.--(1) For fiscal years 1994 
through 1996, the Secretary shall calculate the minimum amount each 
State receiving a grant under this title shall use to provide 
protection and advocacy services, based on the same ratio as the 
population of that State bears to the population of all States 
receiving funds under this title, subject to paragraph (2).
    ``(2) For fiscal years 1994 through 1996--
            ``(A) such minimum amount shall be not less than $40,000 or 
        greater than $100,000; and
            ``(B) the total amount specified by the Secretary to be 
        used by States for such services shall be not less than 
        $2,500,000.
    ``(3) For fiscal year 1997, the minimum amount specified for each 
State by the Secretary shall equal 80 percent of the minimum amount 
specified to be used for fiscal year 1996 for such purpose.
    ``(4) For fiscal year 1998, the minimum amount specified for each 
State by the Secretary shall equal 60 percent of the minimum amount 
specified to be used for fiscal year 1996 for such purpose.
    ``(c) Selection of Organization.--(1) Except as provided under 
paragraph (2), from the minimum amount specified by the Secretary under 
subsection (b) and such other funds as the State may allocate, the 
responsible State entity designated under section 102(e)(1) shall award 
a contract or grant to the entity established for protection and 
advocacy services under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and 
Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6041 et seq.).
    ``(2)(A) The responsible State entity may select an organization 
other than the entity specified in paragraph (1), if the responsible 
State entity--
            ``(i) can demonstrate good cause for such selection, to the 
        satisfaction of the Governor; and
            ``(ii) has given the entity specified in paragraph (1) and 
        individuals with disabilities, or, as appropriate, their family 
        members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives, 
        30 days notice of its intention to make such a selection, 
        including an explanation for making such a selection, and an 
        opportunity to respond to the assertion that good cause has 
        been shown.
    ``(B) The entity specified under paragraph (1) may appeal the 
selection provided in subparagraph (A) to the Secretary on the basis 
that the selection was not for good cause.
    ``(d) Territories.--For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
does not include the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the 
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Republic of 
Palau.''.

                      assistance under other laws

    Sec. 11. Section 201(c) of the Act (as redesignated in section 9 of 
this Act) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``any other Federal laws, including'' 
        after ``under''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3), by striking out ``or'' and inserting 
        in lieu thereof ``and''.

                     evaluation and data collection

    Sec. 12. Section 202 of the Act (as redesignated in section 9 of 
this Act) is amended--
            (1) by striking out subsections (a) and (b);
            (2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (a); and
            (3) by adding at the end thereof a new subsection to read 
        as follows:
    ``(b) Other Evaluation and Data Collection Activities.--The 
Secretary may conduct such evaluation activities as the Secretary deems 
necessary to monitor the progress of States and evaluate program 
effectiveness. In order to conduct such activities, the Secretary may 
collect data and other types of information from States receiving 
grants under this Act, or from other sources.''.

                          technical assistance

    Sec. 13. Title II of the Act is amended by inserting after section 
202 a new section to read as follows:

``SEC. 203. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION.

    ``(a) Technical Assistance.--(1) The Secretary shall provide 
technical assistance with respect to the planning, development, 
implementation, and assessment of comprehensive, consumer-responsive 
statewide systems of technology-related assistance. Such assistance 
shall include--
            ``(A) the provision of information and technical assistance 
        regarding--
                    ``(i) effective approaches to carrying out the 
                activities mandated under section 101(b);
                    ``(ii) effective approaches to carrying out the 
                activities authorized under section 101(c), including 
                effective approaches to carrying out outreach 
                activities to underserved groups;
                    ``(iii) mechanisms for making a successful 
                transition from planning for systems change to its 
                development and implementation, including mechanisms 
                for assessing the effectiveness of the system;
                    ``(iv) Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, 
                and practices that facilitate access to, provision of, 
                and funding for, assistive technology devices and 
                assistive technology services; and
                    ``(v) State and local initiatives that are directed 
                toward achieving the goals of this Act; and
            ``(B) such other activities as the Secretary considers 
        appropriate.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall make such assistance available to--
            ``(A) States;
            ``(B) organizations providing client assistance or 
        protection and advocacy services for individuals with 
        disabilities; and
            ``(C) other appropriate public or private organizations or 
        agencies.
    ``(b) Information and Dissemination.--(1) The Secretary shall 
periodically collect, analyze, and disseminate, on a national basis, 
information on Federal, State, and local policies and decisions 
(including decisions as a result of administrative or judicial 
hearings) that relate to obtaining funding for assistive technology 
devices and assistive technology services for individuals with 
disabilities.
    ``(2) The Secretary shall make such information available to--
            ``(A) States;
            ``(B) organizations providing client assistance or 
        protection and advocacy services for individuals with 
        disabilities;
            ``(C) other appropriate public or private organizations or 
        agencies;
            ``(D) individuals with disabilities and their family 
        members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives;
            ``(E) individuals who work in appropriate public or private 
        organizations (including insurers);
            ``(F) employers; and
            ``(G) other appropriate individuals.''.

                    authorization of appropriations

    Sec. 14. (a) In General.--Section 204(a) of the Act (as 
redesignated in section 9 of this Act) is amended by striking out 
``title $9,000,000'' and all that follows through the end thereof and 
inserting in lieu thereof ``Act $37,744,000 for fiscal year 1994 and 
such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1995 through 
1998.''.
    (b) Reservation of Funds.--Section 204(b) of the Act is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by striking out ``reserve 1 percent'' and 
                inserting in lieu thereof ``reserve at least 2 
                percent'';
                    (B) by striking out ``$500,000'' and inserting in 
                lieu thereof ``not less than $1,500,000''; and
                    (C) by striking out ``States'' and all that follows 
                through the end thereof and inserting in lieu thereof 
                ``technical assistance and information, as required by 
                section 203.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by striking out ``Onsite visits'' and inserting 
                in lieu thereof ``Review and evaluation''; and
                    (B) by striking out ``conducting'' and all that 
                follows through the end thereof and inserting in lieu 
                thereof ``reviewing participating States, as required 
                by section 201(a), including the conduct of onsite 
                visits and use of field readers, and evaluating State 
                programs, as provided in section 202, including data 
                collection activities.''.

                  technical and conforming amendments

    Sec. 15. The Act is further amended--
            (1) by striking out ``the Trust Territory of the Pacific 
        Islands'' each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
        ``the Republic of Palau (until the Compact of Free Association 
        with Palau takes effect)'';
            (2) by striking out ``statewide program'' each place it 
        appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``statewide system'';
            (3) by striking out ``statewide programs'' each place it 
        appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``statewide systems'';
            (4) in section 1, by striking out ``With'' and inserting in 
        lieu thereof ``with'';
            (5) in section 3--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by striking out ``individual 
                with a disability'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
                ``individual with disabilities'';
                    (B) in paragraph (7), by striking out ``functions 
                performed and''; and
                    (C) in paragraph (8), by striking out ``have'' and 
                inserting in lieu thereof ``has'';
            (6) in section 101--
                    (A) in subsection (a), by striking out ``of 
                Education''; and
                    (B) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) in paragraph (4), by striking out ``a 
                        program'' each place it appears and inserting 
                        in lieu thereof ``program'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking out 
                        ``sources, conditions of and criteria for'' and 
                        inserting in lieu thereof ``sources, and 
                        conditions of, and criteria for,''; and
                            (iii) in paragraph (7), by striking out 
                        ``of all ages'';
            (7) in section 102--
                    (A) by striking out ``under section 106'' each 
                place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``under 
                section 204'';
                    (B) in subsection (c)(3)(C), by striking out 
                ``State relating to the development of a statewide'' 
                and inserting in lieu thereof ``State or territory 
                concerned relating to the development of a statewide or 
                territory-wide''; and
                    (C) in subsection (e)--
                            (i) in paragraph (4), by striking out 
                        ``tentative'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
                        ``preliminary'';
                            (ii) in paragraph (6)--
                                    (I) by striking out ``Functions,'';
                                    (II) by striking out 
                                ``functions,''; and
                                    (III) by striking out ``section 
                                2(b)(1)'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
                                ``section 2(b)''; and
                            (iii) in paragraph (10), by striking out 
                        ``title'' and inserting in lieu thereof 
                        ``Act'';
            (8) in section 103, in subsection (b), by striking out 
        ``under section 106'' each place it appears and inserting in 
        lieu thereof ``under section 204'';
            (9) in section 201 (as redesignated in section 9 of this 
        Act)--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(3)--
                            (i) by inserting a comma after ``minimum''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking out ``section 2(b)(1)'' 
                        and inserting in lieu thereof ``section 2(b)''; 
                        and
                    (B) in subsection (c)--
                            (i) by striking out ``in this title'' and 
                        inserting in lieu thereof ``in this Act''; and
                            (ii) by inserting a comma after 
                        ``available'' and ``eligibility''; and
            (10) in section 202(a) (as redesignated in section 9 of 
        this Act), by striking out ``this title'' and inserting in lieu 
        thereof ``title I''.

                             effective date

    Sec. 16. This Act shall take effect on October 1, 1993.

                                 <all>

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