The department must set voucher pricing, decide eligibility, issue vouchers to eligible applicants, keep records, and deposit collected money to the universal service fund.
Sec. 56.153. VOUCHERS. (a) The department shall determine a reasonable price for a basic specialized telecommunications device that permits, or basic specialized services that permit, telephone network access and distribute to each eligible applicant a voucher that guarantees payment of that amount to a distributor of new specialized telecommunications devices described by Section 56.151 or to a provider of services described by that section. The department may issue a voucher for a service only if the service is less expensive than a device eligible for a voucher under the program to meet the same need. (b) A voucher must have the value printed on its face. The individual exchanging a voucher for the purchase of a specialized telecommunications device or service is responsible for payment of the difference between the voucher's value and the price of the device or service. (c) The executive commissioner, after consulting with the department, by rule shall provide that a distributor of devices or a provider of services will receive not more than the full price of the device or service if the recipient of a voucher exchanges the voucher for a device or service that the distributor or provider sells for less than the voucher's value. (d) An individual who has exchanged a voucher for a specialized telecommunications device is not eligible to receive another voucher before the fifth anniversary of the date the individual exchanged the previously issued voucher unless, before that date, the recipient develops a need for a different type of telecommunications device or service under the program because the recipient's disability changes or the recipient acquires another disability. (e) Except as provided by rules adopted under this subsection, an individual is not eligible for a voucher if the department has issued a voucher for a device or service to another individual with the same type of disability in the individual's household. The executive commissioner, after consulting with the department, by rule may provide for financially independent individuals who reside in a congregate setting to be eligible for a voucher regardless of whether another individual living in that setting has received a voucher. (f) The department shall determine eligibility of each person who files an application for a voucher and issue each eligible applicant an appropriate voucher. (g) The department shall maintain a record regarding each individual who receives a voucher under the program. (h) The department shall deposit money collected under the program to the credit of the universal service fund. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 18.08(e), eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1553, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 424, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 532 (S.B. 512), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2013.