[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2432 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        S.2432

                       One Hundred Fifth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-
                                  eight


                                 An Act


 
    To support programs of grants to States to address the assistive 
    technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other 
                                purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Assistive 
Technology Act of 1998''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 3. Definitions and rule.

                      TITLE I--STATE GRANT PROGRAMS

Sec. 101. Continuity grants for States that received funding for a 
          limited period for technology-related assistance.
Sec. 102. State grants for protection and advocacy related to assistive 
          technology.
Sec. 103. Administrative provisions.
Sec. 104. Technical assistance program.
Sec. 105. Authorization of appropriations.

                      TITLE II--NATIONAL ACTIVITIES

                 Subtitle A--Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Sec. 201. Coordination of Federal research efforts.
Sec. 202. National Council on Disability.
Sec. 203. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.

                  Subtitle B--Other National Activities

Sec. 211. Small business incentives.
Sec. 212. Technology transfer and universal design.
Sec. 213. Universal design in products and the built environment.
Sec. 214. Outreach.
Sec. 215. Training pertaining to rehabilitation engineers and 
          technicians.
Sec. 216. President's Committee on Employment of People With 
          Disabilities.
Sec. 217. Authorization of appropriations.

               TITLE III--ALTERNATIVE FINANCING MECHANISMS

Sec. 301. General authority.
Sec. 302. Amount of grants.
Sec. 303. Applications and procedures.
Sec. 304. Contracts with community-based organizations.
Sec. 305. Grant administration requirements.
Sec. 306. Information and technical assistance.
Sec. 307. Annual report.
Sec. 308. Authorization of appropriations.

               TITLE IV--REPEAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

Sec. 401. Repeal.
Sec. 402. Conforming amendments.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

    (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
        (1) Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in 
    no way diminishes the right of individuals to--
            (A) live independently;
            (B) enjoy self-determination and make choices;
            (C) benefit from an education;
            (D) pursue meaningful careers; and
            (E) enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, 
        political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of 
        society in the United States.
        (2) Technology has become one of the primary engines for 
    economic activity, education, and innovation in the Nation, and 
    throughout the world. The commitment of the United States to the 
    development and utilization of technology is one of the main 
    factors underlying the strength and vibrancy of the economy of the 
    United States.
        (3) As technology has come to play an increasingly important 
    role in the lives of all persons in the United States, in the 
    conduct of business, in the functioning of government, in the 
    fostering of communication, in the conduct of commerce, and in the 
    provision of education, its impact upon the lives of the more than 
    50,000,000 individuals with disabilities in the United States has 
    been comparable to its impact upon the remainder of the citizens of 
    the United States. Any development in mainstream technology would 
    have profound implications for individuals with disabilities in the 
    United States.
        (4) Substantial progress has been made in the development of 
    assistive technology devices, including adaptations to existing 
    devices that facilitate activities of daily living, that 
    significantly benefit individuals with disabilities of all ages. 
    Such devices and adaptations increase the involvement of such 
    individuals in, and reduce expenditures associated with, programs 
    and activities such as early intervention, education, 
    rehabilitation and training, employment, residential living, 
    independent living, and recreation programs and activities, and 
    other aspects of daily living.
        (5) All States have comprehensive statewide programs of 
    technology-related assistance. Federal support for such programs 
    should continue, strengthening the capacity of each State to assist 
    individuals with disabilities of all ages with their assistive 
    technology needs.
        (6) Notwithstanding the efforts of such State programs, there 
    is still a lack of--
            (A) resources to pay for assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services;
            (B) trained personnel to assist individuals with 
        disabilities to use such devices and services;
            (C) information among targeted individuals about the 
        availability and potential benefit of technology for 
        individuals with disabilities;
            (D) outreach to underrepresented populations and rural 
        populations;
            (E) systems that ensure timely acquisition and delivery of 
        assistive technology devices and assistive technology services;
            (F) coordination among State human services programs, and 
        between such programs and private entities, particularly with 
        respect to transitions between such programs and entities; and
            (G) capacity in such programs to provide the necessary 
        technology-related assistance.
        (7) In the current technological environment, the line of 
    demarcation between assistive technology and mainstream technology 
    is becoming ever more difficult to draw.
        (8) Many individuals with disabilities cannot access existing 
    telecommunications and information technologies and are at risk of 
    not being able to access developing technologies. The failure of 
    Federal and State governments, hardware manufacturers, software 
    designers, information systems managers, and telecommunications 
    service providers to account for the specific needs of individuals 
    with disabilities in the design, manufacture, and procurement of 
    telecommunications and information technologies results in the 
    exclusion of such individuals from the use of telecommunications 
    and information technologies and results in unnecessary costs 
    associated with the retrofitting of devices and product systems.
        (9) There are insufficient incentives for Federal contractors 
    and other manufacturers of technology to address the application of 
    technology advances to meet the needs of individuals with 
    disabilities of all ages for assistive technology devices and 
    assistive technology services.
        (10) The use of universal design principles reduces the need 
    for many specific kinds of assistive technology devices and 
    assistive technology services by building in accommodations for 
    individuals with disabilities before rather than after production. 
    The use of universal design principles also increases the 
    likelihood that products (including services) will be compatible 
    with existing assistive technologies. These principles are 
    increasingly important to enhance access to information technology, 
    telecommunications, transportation, physical structures, and 
    consumer products. There are insufficient incentives for commercial 
    manufacturers to incorporate universal design principles into the 
    design and manufacturing of technology products, including devices 
    of daily living, that could expand their immediate use by 
    individuals with disabilities of all ages.
        (11) There are insufficient incentives for commercial pursuit 
    of the application of technology devices to meet the needs of 
    individuals with disabilities, because of the perception that such 
    individuals constitute a limited market.
        (12) At the Federal level, the Federal Laboratories, the 
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other similar 
    entities do not recognize the value of, or commit resources on an 
    ongoing basis to, technology transfer initiatives that would 
    benefit, and especially increase the independence of, individuals 
    with disabilities.
        (13) At the Federal level, there is a lack of coordination 
    among agencies that provide or pay for the provision of assistive 
    technology devices and assistive technology services. In addition, 
    the Federal Government does not provide adequate assistance and 
    information with respect to the quality and use of assistive 
    technology devices and assistive technology services to targeted 
    individuals.
        (14) There are changes in the delivery of assistive technology 
    devices and assistive technology services, including--
            (A) the impact of the increased prevalence of managed care 
        entities as payors for assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services;
            (B) an increased focus on universal design;
            (C) the increased importance of assistive technology in 
        employment, as more individuals with disabilities move from 
        public assistance to work through training and on-the-job 
        accommodations;
            (D) the role and impact that new technologies have on how 
        individuals with disabilities will learn about, access, and 
        participate in programs or services that will affect their 
        lives; and
            (E) the increased role that telecommunications play in 
        education, employment, health care, and social activities.
    (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
        (1) to provide financial assistance to States to undertake 
    activities that assist each State in maintaining and strengthening 
    a permanent comprehensive statewide program of technology-related 
    assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages, that is 
    designed to--
            (A) increase the availability of, funding for, access to, 
        and provision of, assistive technology devices and assistive 
        technology services;
            (B) increase the active involvement of individuals with 
        disabilities and their family members, guardians, advocates, 
        and authorized representatives, in the maintenance, 
        improvement, and evaluation of such a program;
            (C) increase the involvement of individuals with 
        disabilities and, if appropriate, their family members, 
        guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives, in 
        decisions related to the provision of assistive technology 
        devices and assistive technology services;
            (D) increase the provision of outreach to underrepresented 
        populations and rural populations, to enable the two 
        populations to enjoy the benefits of activities carried out 
        under this Act to the same extent as other populations;
            (E) increase and promote coordination among State agencies, 
        between State and local agencies, among local agencies, and 
        between State and local agencies and private entities (such as 
        managed care providers), that are involved or are eligible to 
        be involved in carrying out activities under this Act;
            (F)(i) increase the awareness of laws, regulations, 
        policies, practices, procedures, and organizational structures, 
        that facilitate the availability or provision of assistive 
        technology devices and assistive technology services; and
            (ii) facilitate the change of laws, regulations, policies, 
        practices, procedures, and organizational structures, to obtain 
        increased availability or provision of assistive technology 
        devices and assistive technology services;
            (G) increase the probability that individuals with 
        disabilities of all ages will, to the extent appropriate, be 
        able to secure and maintain possession of assistive technology 
        devices as such individuals make the transition between 
        services offered by human service agencies or between settings 
        of daily living (for example, between home and work);
            (H) enhance the skills and competencies of individuals 
        involved in providing assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services;
            (I) increase awareness and knowledge of the benefits of 
        assistive technology devices and assistive technology services 
        among targeted individuals;
            (J) increase the awareness of the needs of individuals with 
        disabilities of all ages for assistive technology devices and 
        for assistive technology services; and
            (K) increase the capacity of public agencies and private 
        entities to provide and pay for assistive technology devices 
        and assistive technology services on a statewide basis for 
        individuals with disabilities of all ages;
        (2) to identify Federal policies that facilitate payment for 
    assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, to 
    identify those Federal policies that impede such payment, and to 
    eliminate inappropriate barriers to such payment; and
        (3) to enhance the ability of the Federal Government to--
            (A) provide States with financial assistance that 
        supports--
                (i) information and public awareness programs relating 
            to the provision of assistive technology devices and 
            assistive technology services;
                (ii) improved interagency and public-private 
            coordination, especially through new and improved policies, 
            that result in increased availability of assistive 
            technology devices and assistive technology services; and
                (iii) technical assistance and training in the 
            provision or use of assistive technology devices and 
            assistive technology services; and
            (B) fund national, regional, State, and local targeted 
        initiatives that promote understanding of and access to 
        assistive technology devices and assistive technology services 
        for targeted individuals.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS AND RULE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
        (1) Advocacy services.--The term ``advocacy services'', except 
    as used as part of the term ``protection and advocacy services'', 
    means services provided to assist individuals with disabilities and 
    their family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized 
    representatives in accessing assistive technology devices and 
    assistive technology services.
        (2) Assistive technology.--The term ``assistive technology'' 
    means technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology 
    device or assistive technology service.
        (3) Assistive technology device.--The term ``assistive 
    technology device'' means any item, piece of equipment, or product 
    system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, 
    that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional 
    capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
        (4) Assistive technology service.--The term ``assistive 
    technology service'' means any service that directly assists an 
    individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use 
    of an assistive technology device. Such term includes--
            (A) the evaluation of the assistive technology needs of an 
        individual with a disability, including a functional evaluation 
        of the impact of the provision of appropriate assistive 
        technology and appropriate services to the individual in the 
        customary environment of the individual;
            (B) services consisting of purchasing, leasing, or 
        otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology 
        devices by individuals with disabilities;
            (C) services consisting of selecting, designing, fitting, 
        customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or 
        replacing assistive technology devices;
            (D) coordination and use of necessary therapies, 
        interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, 
        such as therapies, interventions, or services associated with 
        education and rehabilitation plans and programs;
            (E) training or technical assistance for an individual with 
        disabilities, or, where appropriate, the family members, 
        guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of such an 
        individual; and
            (F) training or technical assistance for professionals 
        (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation 
        services), employers, or other individuals who provide services 
        to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the 
        major life functions of individuals with disabilities.
        (5) Capacity building and advocacy activities.--The term 
    ``capacity building and advocacy activities'' means efforts that--
            (A) result in laws, regulations, policies, practices, 
        procedures, or organizational structures that promote consumer-
        responsive programs or entities; and
            (B) facilitate and increase access to, provision of, and 
        funding for, assistive technology devices and assistive 
        technology services,
    in order to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve 
    greater independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion 
    within the community and the workforce.
        (6) Comprehensive statewide program of technology-related 
    assistance.--The term ``comprehensive statewide program of 
    technology-related assistance'' means a consumer-responsive program 
    of technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities, 
    implemented by a State, and equally available to all individuals 
    with disabilities residing in the State, regardless of their type 
    of disability, age, income level, or location of residence in the 
    State, or the type of assistive technology device or assistive 
    technology service required.
        (7) Consumer-responsive.--The term ``consumer-responsive''--
            (A) with regard to policies, means that the policies are 
        consistent with the principles of--
                (i) respect for individual dignity, personal 
            responsibility, self-determination, and pursuit of 
            meaningful careers, based on informed choice, of 
            individuals with disabilities;
                (ii) respect for the privacy, rights, and equal access 
            (including the use of accessible formats) of such 
            individuals;
                (iii) inclusion, integration, and full participation of 
            such individuals in society;
                (iv) support for the involvement in decisions of a 
            family member, a guardian, an advocate, or an authorized 
            representative, if an individual with a disability 
            requests, desires, or needs such involvement; and
                (v) support for individual and systems advocacy and 
            community involvement; and
            (B) with respect to an entity, program, or activity, means 
        that the entity, program, or activity--
                (i) is easily accessible to, and usable by, individuals 
            with disabilities and, when appropriate, their family 
            members, guardians, advocates, or authorized 
            representatives;
                (ii) responds to the needs of individuals with 
            disabilities in a timely and appropriate manner; and
                (iii) facilitates the full and meaningful participation 
            of individuals with disabilities (including individuals 
            from underrepresented populations and rural populations) 
            and their family members, guardians, advocates, and 
            authorized representatives, in--

                    (I) decisions relating to the provision of 
                assistive technology devices and assistive technology 
                services to such individuals; and
                    (II) decisions related to the maintenance, 
                improvement, and evaluation of the comprehensive 
                statewide program of technology-related assistance, 
                including decisions that affect advocacy, capacity 
                building, and capacity building and advocacy 
                activities.

        (8) Disability.--The term ``disability'' means a condition of 
    an individual that is considered to be a disability or handicap for 
    the purposes of any Federal law other than this Act or for the 
    purposes of the law of the State in which the individual resides.
        (9) Individual with a disability; individuals with 
    disabilities.--
            (A) Individual with a disability.--The term ``individual 
        with a disability'' means any individual of any age, race, or 
        ethnicity--
                (i) who has a disability; and
                (ii) who is or would be enabled by an assistive 
            technology device or an assistive technology service to 
            minimize deterioration in functioning, to maintain a level 
            of functioning, or to achieve a greater level of 
            functioning in any major life activity.
            (B) Individuals with disabilities.--The term ``individuals 
        with disabilities'' means more than one individual with a 
        disability.
        (10) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution 
    of higher education'' has the meaning given such term in section 
    1201(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1141(a)), 
    and includes a community college receiving funding under the 
    Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 (25 
    U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).
        (11) Protection and advocacy services.--The term ``protection 
    and advocacy services'' means services that--
            (A) are described in part C of the Developmental 
        Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6041 
        et seq.), the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill 
        Individuals Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 10801 et seq.), or section 
        509 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; and
            (B) assist individuals with disabilities with respect to 
        assistive technology devices and assistive technology services.
        (12) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
    Education.
        (13) State.--
            (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and 
        section 302, the term ``State'' means each of the several 
        States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the 
        Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, 
        Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern 
        Mariana Islands.
            (B) Outlying areas.--In sections 101(c) and 102(b):
                (i) Outlying area.--The term ``outlying area'' means 
            the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and 
            the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
                (ii) State.--The term ``State'' does not include the 
            United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the 
            Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
        (14) Targeted individuals.--The term ``targeted individuals'' 
    means--
            (A) individuals with disabilities of all ages and their 
        family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized 
        representatives;
            (B) individuals who work for public or private entities 
        (including insurers or managed care providers), that have 
        contact with individuals with disabilities;
            (C) educators and related services personnel;
            (D) technology experts (including engineers);
            (E) health and allied health professionals;
            (F) employers; and
            (G) other appropriate individuals and entities.
        (15) Technology-related assistance.--The term ``technology-
    related assistance'' means assistance provided through capacity 
    building and advocacy activities that accomplish the purposes 
    described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (K) of section 
    2(b)(1).
        (16) Underrepresented population.--The term ``underrepresented 
    population'' means a population that is typically underrepresented 
    in service provision, and includes populations such as persons who 
    have low-incidence disabilities, persons who are minorities, poor 
    persons, persons with limited-English proficiency, older 
    individuals, or persons from rural areas.
        (17) Universal design.--The term ``universal design'' means a 
    concept or philosophy for designing and delivering products and 
    services that are usable by people with the widest possible range 
    of functional capabilities, which include products and services 
    that are directly usable (without requiring assistive technologies) 
    and products and services that are made usable with assistive 
    technologies.
    (b) References.--References in this Act to a provision of the 
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 
1988 shall be considered to be references to such provision as in 
effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.

                     TITLE I--STATE GRANT PROGRAMS

    SEC. 101. CONTINUITY GRANTS FOR STATES THAT RECEIVED FUNDING FOR A 
      LIMITED PERIOD FOR TECHNOLOGY-RELATED ASSISTANCE.
    (a) Grants to States.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants, in 
    accordance with this section, to eligible States to support 
    capacity building and advocacy activities, designed to assist the 
    States in maintaining permanent comprehensive statewide programs of 
    technology-related assistance that accomplish the purposes 
    described in section 2(b)(1).
        (2) Eligible states.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
    this section a State shall be a State that received grants for less 
    than 10 years under title I of the Technology-Related Assistance 
    for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988.
    (b) Use of Funds.--
        (1) In general.--Any State that receives a grant under this 
    section shall use the funds made available through the grant to 
    carry out the activities described in paragraph (2) and may use the 
    funds to carry out the activities described in paragraph (3).
        (2) Required activities.--
            (A) Public awareness program.--
                (i) In general.--The State shall support a public 
            awareness program designed to provide information to 
            targeted individuals relating to the availability and 
            benefits of assistive technology devices and assistive 
            technology services.
                (ii) Link.--Such a public awareness program shall have 
            an electronic link to the National Public Internet Site 
            authorized under section 104(c)(1).
                (iii) Contents.--The public awareness program may 
            include--

                    (I) the development and dissemination of 
                information relating to--

                        (aa) the nature of assistive technology devices 
                    and assistive technology services;
                        (bb) the appropriateness of, cost of, 
                    availability of, evaluation of, and access to, 
                    assistive technology devices and assistive 
                    technology services; and
                        (cc) the benefits of assistive technology 
                    devices and assistive technology services with 
                    respect to enhancing the capacity of individuals 
                    with disabilities of all ages to perform activities 
                    of daily living;

                    (II) the development of procedures for providing 
                direct communication between providers of assistive 
                technology and targeted individuals; and
                    (III) the development and dissemination, to 
                targeted individuals, of information about State 
                efforts related to assistive technology.

            (B) Interagency coordination.--
                (i) In general.--The State shall develop and promote 
            the adoption of policies that improve access to assistive 
            technology devices and assistive technology services for 
            individuals with disabilities of all ages in the State and 
            that result in improved coordination among public and 
            private entities that are responsible or have the authority 
            to be responsible, for policies, procedures, or funding 
            for, or the provision of assistive technology devices and 
            assistive technology services to, such individuals.
                (ii) Appointment to certain information technology 
            panels.--The State shall appoint the director of the lead 
            agency described in subsection (d) or the designee of the 
            director, to any committee, council, or similar 
            organization created by the State to assist the State in 
            the development of the information technology policy of the 
            State.
                (iii) Coordination activities.--The development and 
            promotion described in clause (i) may include support for--

                    (I) policies that result in improved coordination, 
                including coordination between public and private 
                entities--

                        (aa) in the application of Federal and State 
                    policies;
                        (bb) in the use of resources and services 
                    relating to the provision of assistive technology 
                    devices and assistive technology services, 
                    including the use of interagency agreements; and
                        (cc) in the improvement of access to assistive 
                    technology devices and assistive technology 
                    services for individuals with disabilities of all 
                    ages in the State;

                    (II) convening interagency work groups, involving 
                public and private entities, to identify, create, or 
                expand funding options, and coordinate access to 
                funding, for assistive technology devices and assistive 
                technology services for individuals with disabilities 
                of all ages; or
                    (III) documenting and disseminating information 
                about interagency activities that promote coordination, 
                including coordination between public and private 
                entities, with respect to assistive technology devices 
                and assistive technology services.

            (C) Technical assistance and training.--The State shall 
        carry out directly, or provide support to public or private 
        entities to carry out, technical assistance and training 
        activities for targeted individuals, including--
                (i) the development and implementation of laws, 
            regulations, policies, practices, procedures, or 
            organizational structures that promote access to assistive 
            technology devices and assistive technology services for 
            individuals with disabilities in education, health care, 
            employment, and community living contexts, and in other 
            contexts such as the use of telecommunications;
                (ii)(I) the development of training materials and the 
            conduct of training in the use of assistive technology 
            devices and assistive technology services; and
                (II) the provision of technical assistance, including 
            technical assistance concerning how--

                    (aa) to consider the needs of an individual with a 
                disability for assistive technology devices and 
                assistive technology services in developing any 
                individualized plan or program authorized under Federal 
                or State law;
                    (bb) the rights of targeted individuals to 
                assistive technology devices and assistive technology 
                services are addressed under laws other than this Act, 
                to promote fuller independence, productivity, and 
                inclusion in and integration into society of such 
                individuals; or
                    (cc) to increase consumer participation in the 
                identification, planning, use, delivery, and evaluation 
                of assistive technology devices and assistive 
                technology services; and

                (iii) the enhancement of the assistive technology 
            skills and competencies of--

                    (I) individuals who work for public or private 
                entities (including insurers and managed care 
                providers), who have contact with individuals with 
                disabilities;
                    (II) educators and related services personnel;
                    (III) technology experts (including engineers);
                    (IV) health and allied health professionals;
                    (V) employers; and
                    (VI) other appropriate personnel.

            (D) Outreach.--The State shall provide support to statewide 
        and community-based organizations that provide assistive 
        technology devices and assistive technology services to 
        individuals with disabilities or that assist individuals with 
        disabilities in using assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services, including a focus on 
        organizations assisting individuals from underrepresented 
        populations and rural populations. Such support may include 
        outreach to consumer organizations and groups in the State to 
        coordinate efforts to assist individuals with disabilities of 
        all ages and their family members, guardians, advocates, or 
        authorized representatives, to obtain funding for, access to, 
        and information on evaluation of assistive technology devices 
        and assistive technology services.
        (3) Discretionary activities.--
            (A) Alternative state-financed systems.--The State may 
        support activities to increase access to, and funding for, 
        assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, 
        including--
                (i) the development of systems that provide assistive 
            technology devices and assistive technology services to 
            individuals with disabilities of all ages, and that pay for 
            such devices and services, such as--

                    (I) the development of systems for the purchase, 
                lease, other acquisition, or payment for the provision, 
                of assistive technology devices and assistive 
                technology services; or
                    (II) the establishment of alternative State or 
                privately financed systems of subsidies for the 
                provision of assistive technology devices and assistive 
                technology services, such as--

                        (aa) a low-interest loan fund;
                        (bb) an interest buy-down program;
                        (cc) a revolving loan fund;
                        (dd) a loan guarantee or insurance program;
                        (ee) a program operated by a partnership among 
                    private entities for the purchase, lease, or other 
                    acquisition of assistive technology devices or 
                    assistive technology services; or
                        (ff) another mechanism that meets the 
                    requirements of title III and is approved by the 
                    Secretary;
                (ii) the short-term loan of assistive technology 
            devices to individuals, employers, public agencies, or 
            public accommodations seeking strategies to comply with the 
            Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et 
            seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
            U.S.C. 794); or
                (iii) the maintenance of information about, and 
            recycling centers for, the redistribution of assistive 
            technology devices and equipment, which may include 
            redistribution through device and equipment loans, rentals, 
            or gifts.
            (B) Demonstrations.--The State, in collaboration with other 
        entities in established, recognized community settings (such as 
        nonprofit organizations, libraries, schools, community-based 
        employer organizations, churches, and entities operating senior 
        citizen centers, shopping malls, and health clinics), may 
        demonstrate assistive technology devices in settings where 
        targeted individuals can see and try out assistive technology 
        devices, and learn more about the devices from personnel who 
        are familiar with such devices and their applications or can be 
        referred to other entities who have information on the devices.
            (C) Options for securing devices and services.--The State, 
        through public agencies or nonprofit organizations, may support 
        assistance to individuals with disabilities and their family 
        members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives 
        about options for securing assistive technology devices and 
        assistive technology services that would meet individual needs 
        for such assistive technology devices and assistive technology 
        services. Such assistance shall not include direct payment for 
        an assistive technology device.
            (D) Technology-related information.--
                (i) In general.--The State may operate and expand a 
            system for public access to information concerning an 
            activity carried out under another paragraph of this 
            subsection, including information about assistive 
            technology devices and assistive technology services, 
            funding sources and costs of such devices and services, and 
            individuals, organizations, and agencies capable of 
            carrying out such an activity for individuals with 
            disabilities. The system shall be part of, and complement 
            the information that is available through a link to, the 
            National Public Internet Site described in section 
            104(c)(1).
                (ii) Access.--Access to the system may be provided 
            through community-based locations, including public 
            libraries, centers for independent living (as defined in 
            section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), locations 
            of community rehabilitation programs (as defined in section 
            7 of such Act), schools, senior citizen centers, State 
            vocational rehabilitation offices, other State workforce 
            offices, and other locations frequented or used by the 
            public.
                (iii) Information collection and preparation.--In 
            operating or expanding a system described in subparagraph 
            (A), the State may--

                    (I) develop, compile, and categorize print, large 
                print, braille, audio, and video materials, computer 
                disks, compact discs (including compact discs formatted 
                with read-only memory), information in alternative 
                formats that can be used in telephone-based information 
                systems, and materials using such other media as 
                technological innovation may make appropriate;
                    (II) identify and classify funding sources for 
                obtaining assistive technology devices and assistive 
                technology services, and the conditions of and criteria 
                for access to such sources, including any funding 
                mechanisms or strategies developed by the State;
                    (III) identify support groups and systems designed 
                to help individuals with disabilities make effective 
                use of an activity carried out under another paragraph 
                of this subsection, including groups that provide 
                evaluations of assistive technology devices and 
                assistive technology services; and
                    (IV) maintain a record of the extent to which 
                citizens of the State use or make inquiries of the 
                system established in clause (i), and of the nature of 
                such inquiries.

            (E) Interstate activities.--
                (i) In general.--The State may enter into cooperative 
            agreements with other States to expand the capacity of the 
            States involved to assist individuals with disabilities of 
            all ages to learn about, acquire, use, maintain, adapt, and 
            upgrade assistive technology devices and assistive 
            technology services that such individuals need at home, at 
            school, at work, or in other environments that are part of 
            daily living.
                (ii) Electronic communication.--The State may operate 
            or participate in an electronic information exchange 
            through which the State may communicate with other States 
            to gain technical assistance in a timely fashion and to 
            avoid the duplication of efforts already undertaken in 
            other States.
            (F) Partnerships and cooperative initiatives.--The State 
        may support partnerships and cooperative initiatives between 
        the public sector and the private sector to promote greater 
        participation by business and industry in--
                (i) the development, demonstration, and dissemination 
            of assistive technology devices; and
                (ii) the ongoing provision of information about new 
            products to assist individuals with disabilities.
            (G) Expenses.--The State may pay for expenses, including 
        travel expenses, and services, including services of qualified 
        interpreters, readers, and personal care assistants, that may 
        be necessary to ensure access to the comprehensive statewide 
        program of technology-related assistance by individuals with 
        disabilities who are determined by the State to be in financial 
        need and not eligible for such payments or services through 
        another public agency or private entity.
            (H) Advocacy services.--The State may provide advocacy 
        services.
    (c) Amount of Financial Assistance.--
        (1) Grants to outlying areas.--From the funds appropriated 
    under section 105(a) and reserved under section 105(b)(1)(A) for 
    any fiscal year for grants under this section, the Secretary shall 
    make a grant in an amount of not more than $105,000 to each 
    eligible outlying area.
        (2) Grants to states.--From the funds described in paragraph 
    (1) that are not used to make grants under paragraph (1), the 
    Secretary shall make grants to States in accordance with the 
    requirements described in paragraph (3).
        (3) Calculation of state grants.--
            (A) Calculations for grants in the second or third year of 
        a second extension grant.--For any fiscal year, the Secretary 
        shall calculate the amount of a grant under paragraph (2) for 
        each eligible State that would be in the second or third year 
        of a second extension grant made under section 103 of the 
        Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities 
        Act of 1988, if that Act had been reauthorized for that fiscal 
        year.
            (B) Calculations for grants in the fourth or fifth year of 
        a second extension grant.--
                (i) Fourth year.--An eligible State that would have 
            been in the fourth year of a second extension grant made 
            under section 103 of the Technology-Related Assistance for 
            Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 during a fiscal 
            year, if that Act had been reauthorized for that fiscal 
            year, shall receive under paragraph (2) a grant in an 
            amount equal to 75 percent of the funding that the State 
            received in the prior fiscal year under section 103 of that 
            Act or under this section, as appropriate.
                (ii) Fifth year.--An eligible State that would have 
            been in the fifth year of a second extension grant made 
            under section 103 of the Technology-Related Assistance for 
            Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 during a fiscal 
            year, if that Act had been reauthorized for that fiscal 
            year, shall receive under paragraph (2) a grant in an 
            amount equal to 50 percent of the funding that the State 
            received in the third year of a second extension grant 
            under section 103 of that Act or under this section, as 
            appropriate.
            (C) Prohibition on funds after fifth year of a second 
        extension grant.--Except as provided in subsection (f), an 
        eligible State that would have been in the fifth year of a 
        second extension grant made under section 103 of the 
        Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities 
        Act of 1988 during a fiscal year, if that Act had been 
        reauthorized for that fiscal year, may not receive any Federal 
        funds under this title for any fiscal year after such fiscal 
        year.
            (D) Additional states.--
                (i) In general.--For purposes of this paragraph, the 
            Secretary shall treat a State described in clause (ii)--

                    (I) for fiscal years 1999 through 2001, as if the 
                State were a State described in subparagraph (A); and
                    (II) for fiscal year 2002 or 2003, as if the State 
                were a State described in clause (i) or (ii), 
                respectively, of subparagraph (B).

                (ii) State.--A State referred to in clause (i) shall be 
            a State that--

                    (I) in fiscal year 1998, was in the second year of 
                an initial extension grant made under section 103 of 
                the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With 
                Disabilities Act of 1988; and
                    (II) meets such terms and conditions as the 
                Secretary shall determine to be appropriate.

    (d) Lead Agency.--
        (1) Identification.--
            (A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
        this section, a State shall designate a lead agency to carry 
        out appropriate State functions under this section. The lead 
        agency shall be the current agency (as of the date of 
        submission of the application supplement described in 
        subsection (e)) administering the grant awarded to the State 
        for fiscal year 1998 under title I of the Technology-Related 
        Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988, 
        except as provided in subparagraph (B).
            (B) Change in agency.--The Governor may change the lead 
        agency if the Governor shows good cause to the Secretary why 
        the designated lead agency should be changed, in the 
        application supplement described in subsection (e), and obtains 
        approval of the supplement.
        (2) Duties of the lead agency.--The duties of the lead agency 
    shall include--
            (A) submitting the application supplement described in 
        subsection (e) on behalf of the State;
            (B) administering and supervising the use of amounts made 
        available under the grant received by the State under this 
        section;
            (C)(i) coordinating efforts related to, and supervising the 
        preparation of, the application supplement described in 
        subsection (e);
            (ii) continuing the coordination of the maintenance and 
        evaluation of the comprehensive statewide program of 
        technology-related assistance among public agencies and between 
        public agencies and private entities, including coordinating 
        efforts related to entering into interagency agreements; and
            (iii) continuing the coordination of efforts, especially 
        efforts carried out with entities that provide protection and 
        advocacy services described in section 102, related to the 
        active, timely, and meaningful participation by individuals 
        with disabilities and their family members, guardians, 
        advocates, or authorized representatives, and other appropriate 
        individuals, with respect to activities carried out under the 
        grant; and
            (D) the delegation, in whole or in part, of any 
        responsibilities described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) to 
        one or more appropriate offices, agencies, entities, or 
        individuals.
    (e) Application Supplement.--
        (1) Submission.--Any State that desires to receive a grant 
    under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application 
    supplement to the application the State submitted under section 103 
    of the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With 
    Disabilities Act of 1988, at such time, in such manner, and for 
    such period as the Secretary may specify, that contains the 
    following information:
            (A) Goals and activities.--A description of--
                (i) the goals the State has set, for addressing the 
            assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities 
            in the State, including any related to--

                    (I) health care;
                    (II) education;
                    (III) employment, including goals involving the 
                State vocational rehabilitation program carried out 
                under title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;
                    (IV) telecommunication and information technology; 
                or
                    (V) community living; and

                (ii) the activities the State will undertake to achieve 
            such goals, in accordance with the requirements of 
            subsection (b).
            (B) Measures of goal achievement.--A description of how the 
        State will measure whether the goals set by the State have been 
        achieved.
            (C) Involvement of individuals with disabilities of all 
        ages and their families.--A description of how individuals with 
        disabilities of all ages and their families--
                (i) were involved in selecting--

                    (I) the goals;
                    (II) the activities to be undertaken in achieving 
                the goals; and
                    (III) the measures to be used in judging if the 
                goals have been achieved; and

                (ii) will be involved in measuring whether the goals 
            have been achieved.
            (D) Redesignation of the lead agency.--If the Governor 
        elects to change the lead agency, the following information:
                (i) With regard to the original lead agency, a 
            description of the deficiencies of the agency.
                (ii) With regard to the new lead agency, a description 
            of--

                    (I) the capacity of the new lead agency to 
                administer and conduct activities described in 
                subsection (b) and this paragraph; and
                    (II) the procedures that the State will implement 
                to avoid the deficiencies, described in clause (i), of 
                the original lead agency.

                (iii) Information identifying which agency prepared the 
            application supplement.
        (2) Interim status of state obligations.--Except as provided in 
    subsection (f)(2), when the Secretary notifies a State that the 
    State shall submit the application supplement to the application 
    the State submitted under section 103 of the Technology-Related 
    Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988, the 
    Secretary shall specify in the notification the time period for 
    which the application supplement shall apply, consistent with 
    paragraph (4).
        (3) Continuing obligations.--Each State that receives a grant 
    under this section shall continue to abide by the assurances the 
    State made in the application the State submitted under section 103 
    of the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With 
    Disabilities Act of 1988 and continue to comply with reporting 
    requirements under that Act.
        (4) Duration of application supplement.--
            (A) Determination.--The Secretary shall determine and 
        specify to the State the time period for which the application 
        supplement shall apply, in accordance with subparagraph (B).
            (B) Limit.--Such time period for any State shall not extend 
        beyond the year that would have been the fifth year of a second 
        extension grant made for that State under section 103 of the 
        Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities 
        Act of 1988, if the Act had been reauthorized through that 
        year.
    (f) Extension of Funding.--
        (1) In general.--In the case of a State that was in the fifth 
    year of a second extension grant in fiscal year 1998 or is in the 
    fifth year of a second extension grant in any of the fiscal years 
    1999 through 2004 made under section 103 of the Technology-Related 
    Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988, or made 
    under this section, as appropriate, the Secretary may, in the 
    discretion of the Secretary, award a 3-year extension of the grant 
    to such State if the State submits an application supplement under 
    subsection (e) and meets other related requirements for a State 
    seeking a grant under this section.
        (2) Amount.--A State that receives an extension of a grant 
    under paragraph (1), shall receive through the grant, for each of 
    fiscal years of the extension of the grant, an amount equivalent to 
    the amount the State received for the fifth year of a second 
    extension grant made under section 103 of the Technology-Related 
    Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988, or made 
    under this section, as appropriate, from funds appropriated under 
    section 105(a) and reserved under section 105(b)(1)(A) for grants 
    under this section.
        (3) Limitation.--A State may not receive amounts under an 
    extension of a grant under paragraph (1) after September 30, 2004.
    SEC. 102. STATE GRANTS FOR PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY RELATED TO 
      ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY.
    (a) Grants to States.--
        (1) In general.--On the appropriation of funds under section 
    105, the Secretary shall make a grant to an entity in each State to 
    support protection and advocacy services through the systems 
    established to provide protection and advocacy services under the 
    Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 
    U.S.C. 6000 et seq.) for the purposes of assisting in the 
    acquisition, utilization, or maintenance of assistive technology or 
    assistive technology services for individuals with disabilities.
        (2) Certain states.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for a State 
    that, on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, was 
    described in section 102(f)(1) of the Technology-Related Assistance 
    for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988, the Secretary shall 
    make the grant to the lead agency designated under section 101(d). 
    The lead agency shall determine how the funds made available under 
    this section shall be divided among the entities that were 
    providing protection and advocacy services in that State on that 
    day, and distribute the funds to the entities. In distributing the 
    funds, the lead agency shall not establish any further eligibility 
    or procedural requirements for an entity in that State that 
    supports protection and advocacy services through the systems 
    established to provide protection and advocacy services under the 
    Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 
    U.S.C. 6000 et seq.). Such an entity shall comply with the same 
    requirements (including reporting and enforcement requirements) as 
    any other entity that receives funding under paragraph (1).
        (3) Periods.--The Secretary shall provide assistance through 
    such a grant to a State for 6 years.
    (b) Amount of Financial Assistance.--
        (1) Grants to outlying areas.--From the funds appropriated 
    under section 105(a) and reserved under section 105(b)(1)(A) for 
    any fiscal year, the Secretary shall make a grant in an amount of 
    not more than $30,000 to each eligible system within an outlying 
    area.
        (2) Grants to states.--For any fiscal year, after reserving 
    funds to make grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall make 
    allotments from the remainder of the funds described in paragraph 
    (1) in accordance with paragraph (3) to eligible systems within 
    States to support protection and advocacy services as described in 
    subsection (a). The Secretary shall make grants to the eligible 
    systems from the allotments.
        (3) Systems within states.--
            (A) Population basis.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
        (B), from such remainder for each fiscal year, the Secretary 
        shall make an allotment to the eligible system within a State 
        of an amount bearing the same ratio to such remainder as the 
        population of the State bears to the population of all States.
            (B) Minimums.--Subject to the availability of 
        appropriations to carry out this section, the allotment to any 
        system under subparagraph (A) shall be not less than $50,000, 
        and the allotment to any system under this paragraph for any 
        fiscal year that is less than $50,000 shall be increased to 
        $50,000.
        (4) Reallotment.--Whenever the Secretary determines that any 
    amount of an allotment under paragraph (3) to a system within a 
    State for any fiscal year will not be expended by such system in 
    carrying out the provisions of this section, the Secretary shall 
    make such amount available for carrying out the provisions of this 
    section to one or more of the systems that the Secretary determines 
    will be able to use additional amounts during such year for 
    carrying out such provisions. Any amount made available to a system 
    for any fiscal year pursuant to the preceding sentence shall, for 
    the purposes of this section, be regarded as an increase in the 
    allotment of the system (as determined under the preceding 
    provisions of this section) for such year.
    (c) Report to Secretary.--An entity that receives a grant under 
this section shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary a 
report that contains such information as the Secretary may require, 
including documentation of the progress of the entity in--
        (1) conducting consumer-responsive activities, including 
    activities that will lead to increased access, for individuals with 
    disabilities, to funding for assistive technology devices and 
    assistive technology services;
        (2) engaging in informal advocacy to assist in securing 
    assistive technology and assistive technology services for 
    individuals with disabilities;
        (3) engaging in formal representation for individuals with 
    disabilities to secure systems change, and in advocacy activities 
    to secure assistive technology and assistive technology services 
    for individuals with disabilities;
        (4) developing and implementing strategies to enhance the long-
    term abilities of individuals with disabilities and their family 
    members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to 
    advocate the provision of assistive technology devices and 
    assistive technology services to which the individuals with 
    disabilities are entitled under law other than this Act; and
        (5) coordinating activities with protection and advocacy 
    services funded through sources other than this title, and 
    coordinating activities with the capacity building and advocacy 
    activities carried out by the lead agency.
    (d) Reports and Updates to State Agencies.--An entity that receives 
a grant under this section shall prepare and submit to the lead agency 
the report described in subsection (c) and quarterly updates concerning 
the activities described in subsection (c).
    (e) Coordination.--On making a grant under this section to an 
entity in a State, the Secretary shall solicit and consider the 
opinions of the lead agency of the State designated under section 
101(d) with respect to efforts at coordination, collaboration, and 
promoting outcomes between the lead agency and the entity that receives 
the grant under this section.

SEC. 103. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

    (a) Review of Participating Entities.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary shall assess the extent to which 
    entities that receive grants pursuant to this title are complying 
    with the applicable requirements of this title and achieving the 
    goals that are consistent with the requirements of the grant 
    programs under which the entities applied for the grants.
        (2) Onsite visits of states receiving certain grants.--
            (A) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an onsite 
        visit for each State that receives a grant under section 101 
        and that would have been in the third or fourth year of a 
        second extension grant under the Technology-Related Assistance 
        for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 if that Act had 
        been reauthorized for that fiscal year, prior to the end of 
        that year.
            (B) Unnecessary visits.--The Secretary shall not be 
        required to conduct a visit of a State described in 
        subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines that the visit is 
        not necessary to assess whether the State is making significant 
        progress toward development and implementation of a 
        comprehensive statewide program of technology-related 
        assistance.
        (3) Advance public notice.--The Secretary shall provide advance 
    public notice of an onsite visit conducted under paragraph (2) and 
    solicit public comment through such notice from targeted 
    individuals, regarding State goals and related activities to 
    achieve such goals funded through a grant made under section 101.
        (4) Minimum requirements.--At a minimum, the visit shall allow 
    the Secretary to determine the extent to which the State is making 
    progress in meeting State goals and maintaining a comprehensive 
    statewide program of technology-related assistance consistent with 
    the purposes described in section 2(b)(1).
        (5) Provision of information.--To assist the Secretary in 
    carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary under this 
    section, the Secretary may require States to provide relevant 
    information.
    (b) Corrective Action and Sanctions.--
        (1) Corrective action.--If the Secretary determines that an 
    entity fails to substantially comply with the requirements of this 
    title with respect to a grant program, the Secretary shall assist 
    the entity through technical assistance funded under section 104 or 
    other means, within 90 days after such determination, to develop a 
    corrective action plan.
        (2) Sanctions.--An entity that fails to develop and comply with 
    a corrective action plan as described in paragraph (1) during a 
    fiscal year shall be subject to one of the following corrective 
    actions selected by the Secretary:
            (A) Partial or complete fund termination under the grant 
        program.
            (B) Ineligibility to participate in the grant program in 
        the following year.
            (C) Reduction in funding for the following year under the 
        grant program.
            (D) Required redesignation of the lead agency designated 
        under section 101(d) or an entity responsible for administering 
        the grant program.
        (3) Appeals procedures.--The Secretary shall establish appeals 
    procedures for entities that are found to be in noncompliance with 
    the requirements of this title.
    (c) Annual Report.--
        (1) In general.--Not later than December 31 of each year, the 
    Secretary shall prepare, and submit to the President and to 
    Congress, a report on the activities funded under this Act, to 
    improve the access of individuals with disabilities to assistive 
    technology devices and assistive technology services.
        (2) Contents.--Such report shall include information on--
            (A) the demonstrated successes of the funded activities in 
        improving interagency coordination relating to assistive 
        technology, streamlining access to funding for assistive 
        technology, and producing beneficial outcomes for users of 
        assistive technology;
            (B) the demonstration activities carried out through the 
        funded activities to--
                (i) promote access to such funding in public programs 
            that were in existence on the date of the initiation of the 
            demonstration activities; and
                (ii) establish additional options for obtaining such 
            funding;
            (C) the education and training activities carried out 
        through the funded activities to educate and train targeted 
        individuals about assistive technology, including increasing 
        awareness of funding through public programs for assistive 
        technology;
            (D) the research activities carried out through the funded 
        activities to improve understanding of the costs and benefits 
        of access to assistive technology for individuals with 
        disabilities who represent a variety of ages and types of 
        disabilities;
            (E) the program outreach activities to rural and inner-city 
        areas that are carried out through the funded activities;
            (F) the activities carried out through the funded 
        activities that are targeted to reach underrepresented 
        populations and rural populations; and
            (G) the consumer involvement activities carried out through 
        the funded activities.
        (3) Availability of assistive technology devices and assistive 
    technology services.--As soon as practicable, the Secretary shall 
    include in the annual report required by this subsection 
    information on the availability of assistive technology devices and 
    assistive technology services.
    (d) Effect on Other Assistance.--This title may not be construed as 
authorizing a Federal or a State agency to reduce medical or other 
assistance available, or to alter eligibility for a benefit or service, 
under any other Federal law.

SEC. 104. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Through grants, contracts, or cooperative 
agreements, awarded on a competitive basis, the Secretary is authorized 
to fund a technical assistance program to provide technical assistance 
to entities, principally entities funded under section 101 or 102.
    (b) Input.--In designing the program to be funded under this 
section, and in deciding the differences in function between national 
and regionally based technical assistance efforts carried out through 
the program, the Secretary shall consider the input of the directors of 
comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance and 
other individuals the Secretary determines to be appropriate, 
especially--
        (1) individuals with disabilities who use assistive technology 
    and understand the barriers to the acquisition of such technology 
    and assistive technology services;
        (2) family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized 
    representatives of such individuals; and
        (3) individuals employed by protection and advocacy systems 
    funded under section 102.
    (c) Scope of Technical Assistance.--
        (1) National public internet site.--
            (A) Establishment of internet site.--The Secretary shall 
        fund the establishment and maintenance of a National Public 
        Internet Site for the purposes of providing to individuals with 
        disabilities and the general public technical assistance and 
        information on increased access to assistive technology 
        devices, assistive technology services, and other disability-
        related resources.
            (B) Eligible entity.--To be eligible to receive a grant or 
        enter into a contract or cooperative agreement under subsection 
        (a) to establish and maintain the Internet site, an entity 
        shall be an institution of higher education that emphasizes 
        research and engineering, has a multidisciplinary research 
        center, and has demonstrated expertise in--
                (i) working with assistive technology and intelligent 
            agent interactive information dissemination systems;
                (ii) managing libraries of assistive technology and 
            disability-related resources;
                (iii) delivering education, information, and referral 
            services to individuals with disabilities, including 
            technology-based curriculum development services for adults 
            with low-level reading skills;
                (iv) developing cooperative partnerships with the 
            private sector, particularly with private sector computer 
            software, hardware, and Internet services entities; and
                (v) developing and designing advanced Internet sites.
            (C) Features of internet site.--The National Public 
        Internet Site described in subparagraph (A) shall contain the 
        following features:
                (i) Availability of information at any time.--The site 
            shall be designed so that any member of the public may 
            obtain information posted on the site at any time.
                (ii) Innovative automated intelligent agent.--The site 
            shall be constructed with an innovative automated 
            intelligent agent that is a diagnostic tool for assisting 
            users in problem definition and the selection of 
            appropriate assistive technology devices and assistive 
            technology services resources.
                (iii) Resources.--

                    (I) Library on assistive technology.--The site 
                shall include access to a comprehensive working library 
                on assistive technology for all environments, including 
                home, workplace, transportation, and other 
                environments.
                    (II) Resources for a number of disabilities.--The 
                site shall include resources relating to the largest 
                possible number of disabilities, including resources 
                relating to low-level reading skills.

                (iv) Links to private sector resources and 
            information.--To the extent feasible, the site shall be 
            linked to relevant private sector resources and 
            information, under agreements developed between the 
            institution of higher education and cooperating private 
            sector entities.
            (D) Minimum library components.--At a minimum, the Internet 
        site shall maintain updated information on--
                (i) how to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate 
            activities to further extend comprehensive statewide 
            programs of technology-related assistance, including the 
            development and replication of effective approaches to--

                    (I) providing information and referral services;
                    (II) promoting interagency coordination of training 
                and service delivery among public and private entities;
                    (III) conducting outreach to underrepresented 
                populations and rural populations;
                    (IV) mounting successful public awareness 
                activities;
                    (V) improving capacity building in service 
                delivery;
                    (VI) training personnel from a variety of 
                disciplines; and
                    (VII) improving evaluation strategies, research, 
                and data collection;

                (ii) effective approaches to the development of 
            consumer-controlled systems that increase access to, 
            funding for, and awareness of, assistive technology devices 
            and assistive technology services;
                (iii) successful approaches to increasing the 
            availability of public and private funding for and access 
            to the provision of assistive technology devices and 
            assistive technology services by appropriate State 
            agencies; and
                (iv) demonstration sites where individuals may try out 
            assistive technology.
        (2) Technical assistance efforts.--In carrying out the 
    technical assistance program, taking into account the input 
    required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall ensure that 
    entities--
            (A) address State-specific information requests concerning 
        assistive technology from other entities funded under this 
        title and public entities not funded under this title, 
        including--
                (i) requests for state-of-the-art, or model, Federal, 
            State, and local laws, regulations, policies, practices, 
            procedures, and organizational structures, that facilitate, 
            and overcome barriers to, funding for, and access to, 
            assistive technology devices and assistive technology 
            services;
                (ii) requests for examples of policies, practices, 
            procedures, regulations, administrative hearing decisions, 
            or legal actions, that have enhanced or may enhance access 
            to funding for assistive technology devices and assistive 
            technology services for individuals with disabilities;
                (iii) requests for information on effective approaches 
            to Federal-State coordination of programs for individuals 
            with disabilities, related to improving funding for or 
            access to assistive technology devices and assistive 
            technology services for individuals with disabilities of 
            all ages;
                (iv) requests for information on effective approaches 
            to the development of consumer-controlled systems that 
            increase access to, funding for, and awareness of, 
            assistive technology devices and assistive technology 
            services;
                (v) other requests for technical assistance from other 
            entities funded under this title and public entities not 
            funded under this title; and
                (vi) other assignments specified by the Secretary, 
            including assisting entities described in section 103(b) to 
            develop corrective action plans; and
            (B) assist targeted individuals by disseminating 
        information about--
                (i) Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, 
            policies, practices, procedures, and organizational 
            structures, that facilitate, and overcome barriers to, 
            funding for, and access to, assistive technology devices 
            and assistive technology services, to promote fuller 
            independence, productivity, and inclusion in society for 
            individuals with disabilities of all ages; and
                (ii) technical assistance activities undertaken under 
            subparagraph (A).
    (d) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to compete for grants, 
contracts, and cooperative agreements under this section, entities 
shall have documented experience with and expertise in assistive 
technology service delivery or systems, interagency coordination, and 
capacity building and advocacy activities.
    (e) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant, contract, or 
cooperative agreement under this section, an entity shall submit an 
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
containing such information as the Secretary may require.

SEC. 105. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this title $36,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2000 through 2004.
    (b) Reservations of Funds.--
        (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), 
    of the amount appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year--
            (A) 87.5 percent of the amount shall be reserved to fund 
        grants under section 101;
            (B) 7.9 percent shall be reserved to fund grants under 
        section 102; and
            (C) 4.6 percent shall be reserved for activities funded 
        under section 104.
        (2) Reservation for continuation of technical assistance 
    initiatives.--For fiscal year 1999, the Secretary may use funds 
    reserved under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1) to continue 
    funding technical assistance initiatives that were funded in fiscal 
    year 1998 under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals 
    With Disabilities Act of 1988.
        (3) Reservation for onsite visits.--The Secretary may reserve, 
    from the amount appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal 
    year, such sums as the Secretary considers to be necessary for the 
    purposes of conducting onsite visits as required by section 
    103(a)(2).

                     TITLE II--NATIONAL ACTIVITIES
                 Subtitle A--Rehabilitation Act of 1973

SEC. 201. COORDINATION OF FEDERAL RESEARCH EFFORTS.

    Section 203 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended by 
section 405 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1988) is amended--
        (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting after ``programs,'' 
    insert ``including programs relating to assistive technology 
    research and research that incorporates the principles of universal 
    design,'';
        (2) in subsection (b)--
            (A) by inserting ``(1)'' before ``After receiving'';
            (B) by striking ``from individuals with disabilities and 
        the individuals' representatives'' and inserting ``from 
        targeted individuals'';
            (C) by inserting after ``research'' the following: 
        ``(including assistive technology research and research that 
        incorporates the principles of universal design)''; and
            (D) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(2) In carrying out its duties with respect to the conduct of 
Federal research (including assistive technology research and research 
that incorporates the principles of universal design) related to 
rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities, the Committee shall--
        ``(A) share information regarding the range of assistive 
    technology research, and research that incorporates the principles 
    of universal design, that is being carried out by members of the 
    Committee and other Federal departments and organizations;
        ``(B) identify, and make efforts to address, gaps in assistive 
    technology research and research that incorporates the principles 
    of universal design that are not being adequately addressed;
        ``(C) identify, and establish, clear research priorities 
    related to assistive technology research and research that 
    incorporates the principles of universal design for the Federal 
    Government;
        ``(D) promote interagency collaboration and joint research 
    activities relating to assistive technology research and research 
    that incorporates the principles of universal design at the Federal 
    level, and reduce unnecessary duplication of effort regarding these 
    types of research within the Federal Government; and
        ``(E) optimize the productivity of Committee members through 
    resource sharing and other cost-saving activities, related to 
    assistive technology research and research that incorporates the 
    principles of universal design.'';
        (3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
    ``(c) Not later than December 31 of each year, the Committee shall 
prepare and submit, to the President and to the Committee on Education 
and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, a report that--
        ``(1) describes the progress of the Committee in fulfilling the 
    duties described in subsection (b);
        ``(2) makes such recommendations as the Committee determines to 
    be appropriate with respect to coordination of policy and 
    development of objectives and priorities for all Federal programs 
    relating to the conduct of research (including assistive technology 
    research and research that incorporates the principles of universal 
    design) related to rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities; 
    and
        ``(3) describes the activities that the Committee recommended 
    to be funded through grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and 
    other mechanisms, for assistive technology research and development 
    and research and development that incorporates the principles of 
    universal design.''; and
        (4) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d)(1) In order to promote coordination and cooperation among 
Federal departments and agencies conducting assistive technology 
research programs, to reduce duplication of effort among the programs, 
and to increase the availability of assistive technology for 
individuals with disabilities, the Committee may recommend activities 
to be funded through grants, contracts or cooperative agreements, or 
other mechanisms--
        ``(A) in joint research projects for assistive technology 
    research and research that incorporates the principles of universal 
    design; and
        ``(B) in other programs designed to promote a cohesive, 
    strategic Federal program of research described in subparagraph 
    (A).
    ``(2) The projects and programs described in paragraph (1) shall be 
jointly administered by at least 2 agencies or departments with 
representatives on the Committee.
    ``(3) In recommending activities to be funded in the projects and 
programs, the Committee shall obtain input from targeted individuals, 
and other organizations and individuals the Committee determines to be 
appropriate, concerning the availability and potential of technology 
for individuals with disabilities.
    ``(e) In this section, the terms `assistive technology', `targeted 
individuals', and `universal design' have the meanings given the terms 
in section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.''.

SEC. 202. NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY.

    Section 401 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended by 
section 407 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(c)(1) Not later than December 31, 1999, the Council shall 
prepare a report describing the barriers in Federal assistive 
technology policy to increasing the availability of and access to 
assistive technology devices and assistive technology services for 
individuals with disabilities.
    ``(2) In preparing the report, the Council shall obtain input from 
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and 
the Association of Tech Act Projects, and from targeted individuals, as 
defined in section 3 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
    ``(3) The Council shall submit the report, along with such 
recommendations as the Council determines to be appropriate, to the 
Committee on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate and the Committee 
on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives.''.
    SEC. 203. ARCHITECTURAL AND TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS COMPLIANCE 
      BOARD.
    (a) In General.--Section 502 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
U.S.C. 792) is amended--
        (1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (i) as subsections 
    (e) through (j), respectively;
        (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Beginning in fiscal year 2000, the Access Board, after 
consultation with the Secretary, representatives of such public and 
private entities as the Access Board determines to be appropriate 
(including the electronic and information technology industry), 
targeted individuals (as defined in section 3 of the Assistive 
Technology Act of 1998), and State information technology officers, 
shall provide training for Federal and State employees on any 
obligations related to section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
1973.''; and
        (3) in the second sentence of paragraph (1) of subsection (e) 
    (as redesignated in paragraph (1)), by striking ``subsection (e)'' 
    and inserting ``subsection (f)''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 506(c) of the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794(c)) is amended by striking ``section 502(h)(1)'' 
and inserting ``section 502(i)(1)''.

                 Subtitle B--Other National Activities

SEC. 211. SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVES.

    (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``small business'' means 
a small-business concern, as described in section 3(a) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(a)).
    (b) Contracts for Design, Development, and Marketing.--
        (1) In general.--The Secretary may enter into contracts with 
    small businesses, to assist such businesses to design, develop, and 
    market assistive technology devices or assistive technology 
    services. In entering into the contracts, the Secretary may give 
    preference to businesses owned or operated by individuals with 
    disabilities.
        (2) Small business innovative research program.--Contracts 
    entered into pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be administered in 
    accordance with the contract administration requirements applicable 
    to the Department of Education under the Small Business Innovative 
    Research Program, as described in section 9(g) of the Small 
    Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)). Contracts entered into pursuant to 
    paragraph (1) shall not be included in the calculation of the 
    required expenditures of the Department under section 9(f) of such 
    Act (15 U.S.C. 638(f)).
    (c) Grants for Evaluation and Dissemination of Information on 
Effects of Technology Transfer.--The Secretary may make grants to small 
businesses to enable such businesses--
        (1) to work with any entity funded by the Secretary to evaluate 
    and disseminate information on the effects of technology transfer 
    on the lives of individuals with disabilities;
        (2) to benefit from the experience and expertise of such 
    entities, in conducting such evaluation and dissemination; and
        (3) to utilize any technology transfer and market research 
    services such entities provide, to bring new assistive technology 
    devices and assistive technology services into commerce.

SEC. 212. TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN.

    (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute on 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research may collaborate with the Federal 
Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer established under section 
11(e) of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 
U.S.C. 3710(e)), to promote technology transfer that will further 
development of assistive technology and products that incorporate the 
principles of universal design.
    (b) Collaboration.--In promoting the technology transfer, the 
Director and the Consortium described in subsection (a) may 
collaborate--
        (1) to enable the National Institute on Disability and 
    Rehabilitation Research to work more effectively with the 
    Consortium, and to enable the Consortium to fulfill the 
    responsibilities of the Consortium to assist Federal agencies with 
    technology transfer under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
    Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3701 et seq);
        (2) to increase the awareness of staff members of the Federal 
    Laboratories regarding assistive technology issues and the 
    principles of universal design;
        (3) to compile a compendium of current and projected Federal 
    Laboratory technologies and projects that have or will have an 
    intended or recognized impact on the available range of assistive 
    technology for individuals with disabilities, including 
    technologies and projects that incorporate the principles of 
    universal design, as appropriate;
        (4) to develop strategies for applying developments in 
    assistive technology and universal design to mainstream technology, 
    to improve economies of scale and commercial incentives for 
    assistive technology; and
        (5) to cultivate developments in assistive technology and 
    universal design through demonstration projects and evaluations, 
    conducted with assistive technology professionals and potential 
    users of assistive technology.
    (c) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary 
may make grants to or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements 
with commercial, nonprofit, or other organizations, including 
institutions of higher education, to facilitate interaction with the 
Consortium to achieve the objectives of this section.
    (d) Responsibilities of Consortium.--Section 11(e)(1) of the 
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 
3710(e)(1)) is amended--
        (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
    semicolon;
        (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period and inserting 
    ``; and''; and
        (3) by adding at the end the following:
        ``(K) work with the Director of the National Institute on 
    Disability and Rehabilitation Research to compile a compendium of 
    current and projected Federal Laboratory technologies and projects 
    that have or will have an intended or recognized impact on the 
    available range of assistive technology for individuals with 
    disabilities (as defined in section 3 of the Assistive Technology 
    Act of 1998), including technologies and projects that incorporate 
    the principles of universal design (as defined in section 3 of such 
    Act), as appropriate.''.
    SEC. 213. UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN PRODUCTS AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
    The Secretary may make grants to commercial or other enterprises 
and institutions of higher education for the research and development 
of universal design concepts for products (including information 
technology) and the built environment. In making such grants, the 
Secretary shall give consideration to enterprises and institutions that 
are owned or operated by individuals with disabilities. The Secretary 
shall define the term ``built environment'' for purposes of this 
section.

SEC. 214. OUTREACH.

    (a) Assistive Technology in Rural or Impoverished Urban Areas.--The 
Secretary may make grants, enter into cooperative agreements, or 
provide financial assistance through other mechanisms, for projects 
designed to increase the availability of assistive technology for rural 
and impoverished urban populations, by determining the unmet assistive 
technology needs of such populations, and designing and implementing 
programs to meet such needs.
    (b) Assistive Technology for Children and Older Individuals.--The 
Secretary may make grants, enter into cooperative agreements, or 
provide financial assistance through other mechanisms, for projects 
designed to increase the availability of assistive technology for 
populations of children and older individuals, by determining the unmet 
assistive technology needs of such populations, and designing and 
implementing programs to meet such needs.
    SEC. 215. TRAINING PERTAINING TO REHABILITATION ENGINEERS AND 
      TECHNICIANS.
    (a) Grants and Contracts.--The Secretary shall make grants, or 
enter into contracts with, public and private agencies and 
organizations, including institutions of higher education, to help 
prepare students, including students preparing to be rehabilitation 
technicians, and faculty working in the field of rehabilitation 
engineering, for careers related to the provision of assistive 
technology devices and assistive technology services.
    (b) Activities.--An agency or organization that receives a grant or 
contract under subsection (a) may use the funds made available through 
the grant or contract--
        (1) to provide training programs for individuals employed or 
    seeking employment in the field of rehabilitation engineering, 
    including postsecondary education programs;
        (2) to provide workshops, seminars, and conferences concerning 
    rehabilitation engineering that relate to the use of assistive 
    technology devices and assistive technology services to improve the 
    lives of individuals with disabilities; and
        (3) to design, develop, and disseminate curricular materials to 
    be used in the training programs, workshops, seminars, and 
    conferences described in paragraphs (1) and (2).
    SEC. 216. PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON EMPLOYMENT OF PEOPLE WITH 
      DISABILITIES.
    (a) Programs.--The President's Committee on Employment of People 
With Disabilities (referred to in this section as ``the Committee'') 
may design, develop, and implement programs to increase the voluntary 
participation of the private sector in making information technology 
accessible to individuals with disabilities, including increasing the 
involvement of individuals with disabilities in the design, 
development, and manufacturing of information technology.
    (b) Activities.--The Committee may carry out activities through the 
programs that may include--
        (1) the development and coordination of a task force, which--
            (A) shall develop and disseminate information on voluntary 
        best practices for universal accessibility in information 
        technology; and
            (B) shall consist of members of the public and private 
        sectors, including--
                (i) representatives of organizations representing 
            individuals with disabilities; and
                (ii) individuals with disabilities; and
        (2) the design, development, and implementation of outreach 
    programs to promote the adoption of best practices referred to in 
    paragraph (1)(B).
    (c) Coordination.--The Committee shall coordinate the activities of 
the Committee under this section, as appropriate, with the activities 
of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research and 
the activities of the Department of Labor.
    (d) Technical Assistance.--The Committee may provide technical 
assistance concerning the programs carried out under this section and 
may reserve such portion of the funds appropriated to carry out this 
section as the Committee determines to be necessary to provide the 
technical assistance.
    (e) Definition.--In this section, the term ``information 
technology'' means any equipment or interconnected system or subsystem 
of equipment, that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, 
manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, 
interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information, 
including a computer, ancillary equipment, software, firmware and 
similar procedures, services (including support services), and related 
resources.

SEC. 217. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title, 
and the provisions of section 203 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 
that relate to research described in section 203(b)(2)(A) of such Act, 
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 1999, and such sums as may be necessary for 
fiscal year 2000.

              TITLE III--ALTERNATIVE FINANCING MECHANISMS

SEC. 301. GENERAL AUTHORITY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall award grants to States to pay 
for the Federal share of the cost of the establishment and 
administration of, or the expansion and administration of, an 
alternative financing program featuring one or more alternative 
financing mechanisms to allow individuals with disabilities and their 
family members, guardians, advocates, and authorized representatives to 
purchase assistive technology devices and assistive technology services 
(referred to individually in this title as an ``alternative financing 
mechanism'').
    (b) Mechanisms.--The alternative financing mechanisms may include--
        (1) a low-interest loan fund;
        (2) an interest buy-down program;
        (3) a revolving loan fund;
        (4) a loan guarantee or insurance program;
        (5) a program operated by a partnership among private entities 
    for the purchase, lease, or other acquisition of assistive 
    technology devices or assistive technology services; or
        (6) another mechanism that meets the requirements of this title 
    and is approved by the Secretary.
    (c) Requirements.--
        (1) Period.--The Secretary may award grants under this title 
    for periods of 1 year.
        (2) Limitation.--No State may receive more than one grant under 
    this title.
    (d) Federal Share.--The Federal share of the cost of the 
alternative financing program shall not be more than 50 percent.
    (e) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
affecting the authority of a State to establish an alternative 
financing program under title I.

SEC. 302. AMOUNT OF GRANTS.

    (a) In General.--
        (1) Grants to outlying areas.--From the funds appropriated 
    under section 308 for any fiscal year that are not reserved under 
    section 308(b), the Secretary shall make a grant in an amount of 
    not more than $105,000 to each eligible outlying area.
        (2) Grants to states.--From the funds described in paragraph 
    (1) that are not used to make grants under paragraph (1), the 
    Secretary shall make grants to States from allotments made in 
    accordance with the requirements described in paragraph (3).
        (3) Allotments.--From the funds described in paragraph (1) that 
    are not used to make grants under paragraph (1)--
            (A) the Secretary shall allot $500,000 to each State; and
            (B) from the remainder of the funds--
                (i) the Secretary shall allot to each State an amount 
            that bears the same ratio to 80 percent of the remainder as 
            the population of the State bears to the population of all 
            States; and
                (ii) the Secretary shall allot to each State with a 
            population density that is not more than 10 percent greater 
            than the population density of the United States (according 
            to the most recently available census data) an equal share 
            from 20 percent of the remainder.
    (b) Insufficient Funds.--If the funds appropriated under this title 
for a fiscal year are insufficient to fund the activities described in 
the acceptable applications submitted under this title for such year, a 
State whose application was approved for such year but that did not 
receive a grant under this title may update the application for the 
succeeding fiscal year. Priority shall be given in such succeeding 
fiscal year to such updated applications, if acceptable.
    (c) Definitions.--In subsection (a):
        (1) Outlying area.--The term ``outlying area'' means the United 
    States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth 
    of the Northern Mariana Islands.
        (2) State.--The term ``State'' does not include the United 
    States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth 
    of the Northern Mariana Islands.

SEC. 303. APPLICATIONS AND PROCEDURES.

    (a) Eligibility.--States that receive or have received grants under 
section 101 and comply with subsection (b) shall be eligible to compete 
for grants under this title.
    (b) Application.--To be eligible to compete for a grant under this 
title, a State shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, including--
        (1) an assurance that the State will provide the non-Federal 
    share of the cost of the alternative financing program in cash, 
    from State, local, or private sources;
        (2) an assurance that the alternative financing program will 
    continue on a permanent basis;
        (3) an assurance that, and information describing the manner in 
    which, the alternative financing program will expand and emphasize 
    consumer choice and control;
        (4) an assurance that the funds made available through the 
    grant to support the alternative financing program will be used to 
    supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public 
    funds expended to provide alternative financing mechanisms;
        (5) an assurance that the State will ensure that--
            (A) all funds that support the alternative financing 
        program, including funds repaid during the life of the program, 
        will be placed in a permanent separate account and identified 
        and accounted for separately from any other fund;
            (B) if the organization administering the program invests 
        funds within this account, the organization will invest the 
        funds in low-risk securities in which a regulated insurance 
        company may invest under the law of the State; and
            (C) the organization will administer the funds with the 
        same judgment and care that a person of prudence, discretion, 
        and intelligence would exercise in the management of the 
        financial affairs of such person;
        (6) an assurance that--
            (A) funds comprised of the principal and interest from the 
        account described in paragraph (5) will be available to support 
        the alternative financing program; and
            (B) any interest or investment income that accrues on or 
        derives from such funds after such funds have been placed under 
        the control of the organization administering the alternative 
        financing program, but before such funds are distributed for 
        purposes of supporting the program, will be the property of the 
        organization administering the program; and
        (7) an assurance that the percentage of the funds made 
    available through the grant that is used for indirect costs shall 
    not exceed 10 percent.
    (c) Limit.--The interest and income described in subsection 
(b)(6)(B) shall not be taken into account by any officer or employee of 
the Federal Government for purposes of determining eligibility for any 
Federal program.

SEC. 304. CONTRACTS WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS.

    (a) In General.--A State that receives a grant under this title 
shall enter into a contract with a community-based organization 
(including a group of such organizations) that has individuals with 
disabilities involved in organizational decisionmaking at all 
organizational levels, to administer the alternative financing program.
    (b) Provisions.--The contract shall--
        (1) include a provision requiring that the program funds, 
    including the Federal and non-Federal shares of the cost of the 
    program, be administered in a manner consistent with the provisions 
    of this title;
        (2) include any provision the Secretary requires concerning 
    oversight and evaluation necessary to protect Federal financial 
    interests; and
        (3) require the community-based organization to enter into a 
    contract, to expand opportunities under this title and facilitate 
    administration of the alternative financing program, with--
            (A) commercial lending institutions or organizations; or
            (B) State financing agencies.

SEC. 305. GRANT ADMINISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

    A State that receives a grant under this title and any community-
based organization that enters into a contract with the State under 
this title, shall submit to the Secretary, pursuant to a schedule 
established by the Secretary (or if the Secretary does not establish a 
schedule, within 12 months after the date that the State receives the 
grant), each of the following policies or procedures for administration 
of the alternative financing program:
        (1) A procedure to review and process in a timely manner 
    requests for financial assistance for immediate and potential 
    technology needs, including consideration of methods to reduce 
    paperwork and duplication of effort, particularly relating to need, 
    eligibility, and determination of the specific assistive technology 
    device or service to be financed through the program.
        (2) A policy and procedure to assure that access to the 
    alternative financing program shall be given to consumers 
    regardless of type of disability, age, income level, location of 
    residence in the State, or type of assistive technology device or 
    assistive technology service for which financing is requested 
    through the program.
        (3) A procedure to assure consumer-controlled oversight of the 
    program.

SEC. 306. INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall provide information and 
technical assistance to States under this title, which shall include--
        (1) providing assistance in preparing applications for grants 
    under this title;
        (2) assisting grant recipients under this title to develop and 
    implement alternative financing programs; and
        (3) providing any other information and technical assistance 
    the Secretary determines to be appropriate to assist States to 
    achieve the objectives of this title.
    (b) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary 
shall provide the information and technical assistance described in 
subsection (a) through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements 
with public or private agencies and organizations, including 
institutions of higher education, with sufficient documented 
experience, expertise, and capacity to assist States in the development 
and implementation of the alternative financing programs carried out 
under this title.

SEC. 307. ANNUAL REPORT.

    Not later than December 31 of each year, the Secretary shall submit 
a report to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Labor and Human Resources of 
the Senate describing the progress of each alternative financing 
program funded under this title toward achieving the objectives of this 
title. The report shall include information on--
        (1) the number of grant applications received and approved by 
    the Secretary under this title, and the amount of each grant 
    awarded under this title;
        (2) the ratio of funds provided by each State for the 
    alternative financing program of the State to funds provided by the 
    Federal Government for the program;
        (3) the type of alternative financing mechanisms used by each 
    State and the community-based organization with which each State 
    entered into a contract, under the program; and
        (4) the amount of assistance given to consumers through the 
    program (who shall be classified by age, type of disability, type 
    of assistive technology device or assistive technology service 
    financed through the program, geographic distribution within the 
    State, gender, and whether the consumers are part of an 
    underrepresented population or rural population).

SEC. 308. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this title $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be 
necessary for fiscal year 2000.
    (b) Reservation.--Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) 
for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve 2 percent for the 
purpose of providing information and technical assistance to States 
under section 306.

               TITLE IV--REPEAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS

SEC. 401. REPEAL.

    The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities 
Act of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) is repealed.

SEC. 402. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    (a) Definitions.--Section 6 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as 
amended by section 403 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998) is 
amended--
        (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``section 3(2) of the 
    Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act 
    of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2202(2))'' and inserting ``section 3 of the 
    Assistive Technology Act of 1998''; and
        (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``section 3(3) of the 
    Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act 
    of 1988 (29 U.S.C. 2202(3))'' and inserting ``section 3 of the 
    Assistive Technology Act of 1998''.
    (b) Research and Other Covered Activities.--Section 204(b)(3) of 
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended by section 405 of the 
Workforce Investment Act of 1998) is amended--
        (1) in subparagraph (C)(i), by striking ``the Technology-
    Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 
    (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)'' and inserting ``the Assistive Technology 
    Act of 1998''; and
        (2) in subparagraph (G)(i), by striking ``the Technology-
    Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 
    (29 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.)'' and inserting ``the Assistive Technology 
    Act of 1998''.
    (c) Protection and Advocacy.--Section 509(a)(2) of the 
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended by section 408 of the Workforce 
Investment Act of 1998) is amended by striking ``the Technology-Related 
Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. 
2201 et seq.)'' and inserting ``the Assistive Technology Act of 1998''.

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.