§ 24-90-105.5 — Literacy support services for persons who are blind or print-disabled - authority of state librarian - fund

Colorado § 24-90-105.5

• Jurisdiction: Colorado
• Title 24: Government
• Art.: Libraries

Text

(1) The general assembly hereby
declares that there is a growing need for reading services in Colorado to serve the
citizens of the state. The general assembly recognizes that the state has numerous
citizens who are blind or visually impaired or who have physical impairments which
make the use of printed materials difficult or impossible and further recognizes
that the aging of the population of Colorado is increasing the number of such
citizens. Because of the need for reading assistance to inform and inspire
individuals who cannot use printed materials and because of the unique ability of
radio reading services to reach individuals in every corner of the state who require
reading services, the general assembly finds that radio reading services should be
encouraged and should be made available throughout the state.

(2) In addition to any other powers granted to the state librarian under this
article, the state librarian shall have the power with respect to the state library to
contract with entities for the furnishing of radio reading services to individuals who
are blind or visually impaired or who have physical disabilities which impair their use
of printed materials.

(3) The furnishing of radio reading services shall include, but shall not be
limited to, the production of reading service radio programs, the broadcast of
reading services over a subcarrier frequency, and the provision of radio receivers to
listeners for use in receiving reading service broadcasts.

(4) The reading materials for radio reading services shall include, but shall
not be limited to, newspapers, periodicals, local calendars of events, consumer
information, best seller books, and information concerning pending legislative
matters.

(5) The general assembly recognizes the importance of privately operated
reading services to enable persons who are blind or print-disabled to gain access to
otherwise inaccessible print materials. The state librarian has the authority to
administer money in the reading services for the blind cash fund, which fund is
created in the state treasury, pursuant to section 26-21-103.5 (1)(a)(IV), for the
support of privately operated reading services. The fund consists of any public or
private money transferred, appropriated, or otherwise credited to the fund. All
money credited to the fund and all interest earned on the investment of money in
the fund is a part of the fund and must not be transferred or credited to the general
fund or to any other fund except as directed by the general assembly acting by bill.
The general assembly shall make annual appropriations from the reading services
for the blind cash fund to the state librarian to carry out the purposes of this
section.

(6) The services available through providers of on-demand news and
information services to Coloradans who are blind or print-disabled must be
expanded to enhance the ability of Coloradans who are blind or print-disabled to
use the on-demand and information services, and to increase the number of
Coloradans who are blind or print-disabled who are aware of such services. The on-demand news and information services must be expanded to include an enlarged
array of information and literacy support services throughout the state, such as the
provision of information about a variety of communication-related assistive
technologies and blindness-related services, introductory training, and methods to
find and use additional resources in or near communities where a person lives. The
expanded services may include, but are not limited to:

(a) Information sharing, marketing of expanded services, and other methods
for informing persons who are blind or print-disabled about the availability of these
services;

(b) Support services for users to resolve technical questions about the
services or the devices that might be used to access the information available
through these services; and

(c) The provision of information about communication-related assistive
technologies.

Legislative History

Source: L. 91: Entire section added, p. 906, � 1, effective March 11. L. 93: (2) amended, p. 1663, � 69, effective July 1. L. 98: (5) added, p. 1361, � 121, effective June 1. L. 2024: (5) amended and (6) added, (SB 24-153), ch. 479, p. 3362, � 1, effective June 7. L. 2025: (5) amended, (HB 25-1154), ch. 230, p. 1077, � 13, effective May 22.