HUMAN VOICE CONTACT ACT House SponsorsRep. Jack McGuire-Jack D. Franks-Monique D. Davis-Mary E. Flowers, Michael K. Smith, Sidney H. Mathias, Wyvetter H. Younge and Karen A. Yarbrough Senate Sponsors(Sen. Emil Jones, Jr.) 1/11/2005HouseSession Sine Die New Act Creates the Human Voice Contact Act. Provides that a State agency that uses automated telephone answering equipment to answer incoming telephone calls must, during the normal business hours of the agency, provide the caller with the option, among the first set of menu choices, of speaking to a live operator. Exempts a telephone line that is dedicated as a hot line for emergency services or to provide general information.House Amendment No. 1 Defines "information transaction line" as a State agency telephone line that allows a caller to access his or her account and related information using a touch-tone telephone, and exempts such a line from the Act's human voice contact requirement.Fiscal Note (Department of Central Management Services) The Department of Central Management Services anticipates significant costs related to re-programming of automated telephone systems. Re-programming costs can range from $100 for small systems to well over $400,000 for large systems. State government currently has over 500 systems. Not all systems will require re-programming. However, we estimate the number of systems needing re-programming will be significant. House Amendment No. 2 Makes the requirement that a State agency provide a caller with the option of speaking to a live operator subject to appropriations. 2/28/2003HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Jack McGuire 2/28/2003HouseFirst Reading 2/28/2003HouseReferred to Rules Committee 3/5/2003HouseAssigned to State Government Administration Committee 3/13/2003HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael K. Smith 3/13/2003HouseDo Pass / Short Debate State Government Administration Committee; 011-000-000 3/13/2003HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/18/2003HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 3/18/2003HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 3/19/2003HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jack D. Franks 3/25/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jack McGuire 3/25/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/25/2003HouseRecalled to Second Reading - Short Debate 3/25/2003HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 3/26/2003HouseFiscal Note Filed 3/26/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 004-000-000 3/27/2003HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Monique D. Davis 3/27/2003HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary E. Flowers 4/1/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Jack McGuire 4/1/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee 4/1/2003HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/1/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 1 Adopted by Voice Vote 4/1/2003HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 4/2/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 004-000-000 4/2/2003HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/2/2003HouseHouse Amendment No. 2 Adopted by Voice Vote 4/2/2003HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 4/3/2003HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Sidney H. Mathias 4/3/2003HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 077-029-010 4/3/2003HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Wyvetter H. Younge 4/3/2003HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Karen A. Yarbrough 4/4/2003SenateArrive in Senate 4/4/2003SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading April 8, 2003 5/13/2003SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, Jr. 5/14/2003SenateFirst Reading 5/14/2003SenateReferred to Rules 1/11/2005HouseSession Sine Die