(1) For the purpose of this section "telecommunication device" means an instrument for telecommunication in which speaking or hearing is not required for communicators.

(2) The county legislative authority of each county with a population of eighteen thousand or more and the governing body of each city with a population in excess of ten thousand shall provide by July 1, 1980, for a telecommunication device in their jurisdiction or through a central dispatch office that will assure access to police, fire, or other emergency services.

(3) The county legislative authority of each county with a population of eighteen thousand or less shall by July 1, 1980, make a determination of whether sufficient need exists with their respective counties to require installation of a telecommunication device. Reconsideration of such determination will be made at any future date when a deaf individual indicates a need for such an instrument.

Purpose—Captions not law—1991 c 363: See notes following RCW 2.32.180.

Purpose—1979 ex.s. c 63: "The legislature finds that many citizens of this state who are unable to utilize telephone services in a regular manner due to hearing defects are able to communicate by teletypewriters where hearing is not required for communication. Hence, it is the purpose of section 2 of this act [RCW 70.54.180] to require that telecommunication devices for the deaf be installed." [ 1979 ex.s. c 63 § 1.]