§ 7–804
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. § 7-804 (2026)
Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities
Subtitle 8. Telecommunications Access of Maryland
§ 7–804LinkCopy Citation
(a)
The Department in consultation with the Board shall:
(1)
establish and administer a program to provide cost–efficient, 24–hour, dual party relay service to program participants at a comparable level of access and quality that a standard telecommunication service provides to a person without a hearing or speech disability;
(2)
develop the program in collaboration with State programs currently serving disabled individuals and with community agencies or other organizations that have established relay programs; and
(3)
maintain an information and referral service to provide information about the availability of the relay service.
(b)
The Department in consultation with the Board shall:
(1)
contract with a private vendor or nonprofit organization to provide the information and referral service required under subsection (a)(3) of this section; and
(2)
provide appropriate staff assistance from the Department, including a director, to assist the Board in carrying out its duties under this subtitle.
(c)
The director provided under subsection (b)(2) of this section shall:
(1)
be an individual who is:
(i)
deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or speech disabled; and
(ii)
is a user of telecommunications relay services;
(2)
direct the implementation of services and programs established in accordance with this subtitle and Subtitle 9 of this title; and
(3)
advise the Department and the Secretary of Disabilities on regulatory policy and the administration of the Universal Service Trust Fund.