# Human Services (GHU)

## Title 7. Individuals With Disabilities

### Subtitle 8. Telecommunications Access of Maryland

#### Section 7-804

(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.

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Md. Code Ann., Hum. Servs. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)