Sec. 102. National Resource Center on Accessible Voting

388 words·~2 min read·/bill/116/s/3206/is/section-102

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Part 4 of subtitle A of title II of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, as added by section 101, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: Not later than January 1, 2021, the Office of Accessibility shall, directly or by grant or contract with eligible entities described in subsection (d), establish and operate a National Resource Center on Accessible Voting (in this section referred to as the Center ). In order to address the unique challenges faced by older individuals, individuals with disabilities, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and individuals with limited proficiency in the English language, the Center shall provide State and local election officials, poll workers, and volunteers with the information and technical assistance needed to effectively provide accessible voting, and ensure that individuals with disabilities and older individuals are given an equivalent opportunity to vote, including with privacy and independence.

The Center shall assist the Office of Accessibility in carrying out the primary objectives of the Office as described in section 223(c). To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under this subsection, an entity shall— submit an application to the Office of Accessibility at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Office of Accessibility may reasonably require; and meet the criteria described in paragraph (2). The criteria described in this paragraph, with respect to an entity, are that the entity— has demonstrated expertise in working with organizations or individuals on issues affecting individuals with disabilities and older individuals; has documented experience in providing training and technical assistance on a national basis or a formal relationship with an organization that has such experience; partners with an organization that has demonstrated expertise in election security; and meets such other criteria as determined appropriate by the Office of Accessibility.

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section not less than $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2021 and each succeeding fiscal year. Amounts appropriated under the preceding sentence shall remain available until expended. The Office of Accessibility shall develop and issue operating standards and reporting requirements for the Center. . The table of contents of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 223, as added by section 101(b)(2), the following new item:

Sec. 224. National Resource Center on Accessible Voting. .