SB269

By Senators Livingston and Orr

ENROLLED, An Act,

To amend Section 21-2-2, Code of Alabama 1975, to clarify that state entities apply the purchasing preference for services provided by certain individuals with disabilities under the direction of the Department of Adult Blind and Deaf of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; and to require the board to ensure that approved services do not adversely impact services provided under the federal Randolph-Sheppard program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 21-2-2, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§21-2-2.

"Whenever any of the products or services made, provided, or manufactured by the blind, visually handicapped, deaf or other severely handicapped persons individuals with disabilities under the direction or supervision of the Department of Adult Blind and Deaf of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind meet the requirements of any department, institution, or agency supported in whole or in part by the state as to quality and quantity, such products or services shall have preference, except over articles produced or manufactured by convicts in Alabama employed in industries operated or supervised by the Department of Corrections, and all departments, institutions, and agencies supported in whole or in part by the state are hereby directed to purchase such articles the products or services from the Department of Adult Blind and Deaf. All political subdivisions of the state are authorized to purchase articles or services made, provided, or manufactured by the blind, visually handicapped, deaf or severely handicapped individuals with disabilities through the department in the same manner that the state and its agencies and institutions purchase them. A fair market price for all articles offered for sale pursuant to this chapter shall be determined by the board created in Section 21-2-3. The board shall also ensure services approved do not adversely impact services provided under the Randolph-Sheppard Act of 1936, 20 U.S.C. 107 et seq., a vendor program for the hiring of individuals who are blind for the operation of vending facilities on state and federal property, as administered by the Department of Rehabilitation Services."

Section 2. This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Disabled Persons

Handicapped

Institute for Deaf and Blind

Public Contracts

State Agencies

Code Amended