(a) There is in the State Treasury a permanent revolving fund to be known as the Rehabilitation Revolving Loan Guarantee Fund, and to be administered by the department. The money deposited in the fund, including, but not limited to, money in any previously established account within the fund, is hereby appropriated, without regard to fiscal years, for the purposes of this article. The fund shall be used to guarantee loans made by eligible lenders to eligible persons for the purchase of vans, automobiles, and other special equipment to facilitate transportation of individuals with disabilities, and to assist private employers and employees, and other persons regardless of age, with disabilities to purchase assistive technology in order to live more independently or to engage in employment, including, but not limited to, supported employment as defined and determined by the department.

(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate the requirement that employers comply with reasonable accommodations and related responsibilities pursuant to federal and state laws. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a loan guarantee for individuals with disabilities who have previously received vocational rehabilitation services and who wish to obtain a loan to purchase newly developed assistive technology or to replace worn or obsolete assistive technology.

(c) In determining eligibility for a loan guarantee from this account, the department shall make any loan guarantee contingent upon a determination that the person or the family of a child reasonably can be expected to repay the loan based on the person’s or family’s expected income or other resources.

(d) To the extent possible, loans made pursuant to this chapter shall provide for a security interest to be given the lending institution in the vehicle or assistive technology for which the loan is made.

(Amended by Stats. 2005, Ch. 549, second Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2006.)