TITLE XXXIV
PUBLIC UTILITIES

Chapter 362-E
TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Section 362-E:1

    362-E:1 Definitions. –
In this chapter:
I. "Commission" means the governor's commission on disability established in RSA 275-C.
II. "Telecommunications equipment assistance" means a teletypewriter or other telecommunications equipment used by a qualified person to conduct telephone communications.
III. "Telecommunications relay service" means a service transmitting messages and information between a person using standard telephone equipment for spoken communications and a qualified person using telecommunications equipment assistance.
IV. "Qualified person" means a person who is unable to reasonably use standard telephone equipment due to a disability, such as being deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, paraplegic, or unable to use his or her arms.

Source. 1996, 240:1. 1999, 337:4. 2002, 219:9, eff. July 1, 2002.

Section 362-E:2

    362-E:2 Administration. – The commission shall administer the telecommunications equipment assistance program and shall implement the program by contract with one or more entities.

Source. 1996, 240:1. 1999, 337:5, eff. Jan. 2, 2000.

Section 362-E:3

    362-E:3 Duties. –
The commission shall:
I. Establish:
(a) A program that will enable qualified persons in New Hampshire to access telephone service through the use of telecommunications equipment assistance.
(b) Eligibility criteria, which shall include ability to pay. The telecommunications equipment assistance program shall pay the full costs for persons whose income levels do not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level guidelines published in the Federal Register, exclusive of disability-related expenses.
(c) Guidelines for verifying the applicant's impairment and eligibility.
(d) Limits on equipment availability.
II. Contract services for:
(a) Distributing equipment.
(b) Teaching applicants how to use or access any adaptive equipment.
(c) Evaluating the needs of an applicant in the applicant's customary environment.
(d) Providing assistance to applicants with selection, design, fit, application, and other issues related to the use of assistive devices.
III. Consult with the New Hampshire Telecommunications Relay Services Advisory Board on methods to enhance the current telecommunications relay service and increase accessibility.
IV. Perform any other functions necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

Source. 1996, 240:1. 1999, 337:6, eff. Jan. 2, 2000; 337:7, eff. Jan. 2, 2000.

Section 362-E:4

    362-E:4 Cooperation. – The commission may cooperate with any local, state, or federal agency or any private organization necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

Source. 1996, 240:1, eff. July 1, 1996.

Section 362-E:5

    362-E:5 Rulemaking. –
The commission shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to:
I. Eligibility criteria.
II. Procedures for the verification of an applicant's impairment and eligibility.
III. Limits on equipment availability.
IV. The proper administration of this chapter.

Source. 1996, 240:1. 1999, 337:8, eff. Jan. 2, 2000.

Section 362-E:6

    362-E:6 Funding. – The telecommunications equipment assistance program shall be funded in an amount not to exceed $96,000 annually from the telecommunications relay service trust fund established by the public utilities commission.

Source. 1996, 240:1. 1999, 337:9, eff. Jan. 2, 2000.

Section 362-E:7

    362-E:7 Annual Report. – The governor's commission on disability shall file a report which shall include the number of persons assisted, all sources of funding, and the total amount disbursed under this chapter. Such report shall be submitted annually to the governor and council, the senate president, the speaker of the house and the public utilities commission, on or before October 1.

Source. 1996, 240:1, eff. July 1, 1996. 2015, 259:8, eff. July 1, 2015.