53-19-307. Provision of services. In administering the program established in 53-19-306, the committee shall:
     (1) develop an appropriate means test to determine eligibility for participation in the program;
     (2) require that participants in the program be residents of Montana and that residency be maintained as a condition of eligibility for continued participation in the program;
     (3) require that participants provide satisfactory evidence that they are handicapped and would benefit from the use of specialized telecommunications equipment;
     (4) provide specialized telecommunications equipment to participants on the basis of a loan or lease arrangement that may include cost-sharing between the handicapped person and his employer;
     (5) determine the type of specialized telecommunications equipment it considers necessary and economically feasible for use by Montana's handicapped;
     (6) purchase or lease all specialized telecommunications equipment through bid by wholesale manufacturers on a competitive basis;
     (7) require, as a condition of each equipment purchase or lease, that the original manufacturer provide repair and maintenance service for new and returned equipment;
     (8) maintain records of each item of equipment, including the location, serial number, and telephone number of each device;
     (9) require an appropriate security deposit for equipment at the time of delivery, which deposit must be refunded without interest when the equipment is returned;
     (10) make reasonable efforts to recover equipment from those who become ineligible for continued participation in the program;
     (11) provide a dual-party relay system that, if feasible, would be available statewide for operation 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, including holidays;
     (12) implement the service described in subsection (11) within 2 years following July 1, 1989; and
     (13) adopt rules necessary to administer the program.

     History: En. Sec. 8, Ch. 669, L. 1989.