Delegate James Hubbard returned to the legislature for a bill named in his honor; Emergency Evacuation bill gets media attention; BRFA and DDA budget hearings held.  The Arc analyzes bills relevant to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), develops and presents testimony, organizes witnesses, and works with coalitions on our priority issues.

Position: Support

Witnesses surround Delegate James Hubbard and Senator Craig Zucker

Returning to the legislature after his retirement, Delegate James Hubbard came to testify on behalf of SB 872 named in his honor.

Delegate Hubbard testifies before the Senate EHEA Committee

SB 872 would offer competitive grants to state universities and colleges to develop and implement pilot programs on Maryland campuses that provide inclusive higher education opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). These programs, called Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs, exist in 22 states; but not in Maryland.  Because CTP programs are certified by the U.S. Department of Education, students with I/DD and their families can qualify to receive Pell grants and other federal student financial aid.  SB 872 will provide people with I/DD the same opportunities as their peers, brothers and sisters, and friends without disabilities to choose an in-state College, rather than pay higher out-of-state tuition costs.

It is fitting SB 872 is named in honor of Delegate  Hubbard.  Throughout his 22 years  in the Maryland House of Delegates, Delegate Hubbard championed the rights and opportunities of persons with disabilities, notably children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. His legacy includes Transitioning Youth legislation, legislation aimed at environmental issues to prevent disabilities, legislation that helped lead to the closure of Great Oaks and Rosewood Institutions, Waiting List Equity Fund, Written Plan of Habilitation to assist persons residing in institutions to receive their rights under the Olmstead Supreme Court decision, and Money Follows the Person. 

The House companion bill HB 971 will be heard March 7.

 

The Arc testifies at DDA Budget Hearing: L-R Aaron Stephens, Mary Moore, Wayne Wallace

House and Senate hearings on the proposed FY 2018 Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Budget were held this week, as was the BRFA (Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act). The BRFA is the mechanism for the DDA 3.5% Rate Restoration. Testifying on BRFA for the Rate Restoration on behalf of The Arc Maryland were Laura Carr (Senate), Vice President of the Board, Executive Director Cristine Marchand (House). Kathleen Durkin, Deputy Executive Director of The Arc Baltimore, and The Arc Howard County's Executive Director Cindy Parr testified on behalf of MACS. Strong support has been voiced by key members of both chambers, while the legislative budget analyst recommended a rate increase of only 1%.

At the DDA Budget hearings, The Arc Maryland testified in support of the budget that fully funds Transitioning Youth, Emergencies, Crisis Resolution and begins a new Waiting List initiative; with request for full funding of the mandated 3.5% rate increase.

The Arc Maryland's panel focused on Transitioning Youth and the Waiting List. Testifying in the House were Aaron Stephens on behalf of The Arc Maryland, Wayne Wallace (Transitioning Youth from Calvert County), and Mary Moore (Waiting List from Harford County.) Senate panelists were Cristine Marchand, Michael Jijistar (TY from Harford County), and Carol Fried (Waiting List of Montgomery County). Bill Loyd, The Arc Montgomery County Executive Director, testified in the Senate for the 3.5% Rate Increase. For information on the budget, click here. 

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Position: Support

An impassioned and diligent parent advocate can make a difference. The Arc Maryland board member Lori Scott is the driving force behind HB 1061 - Task Force to Study Emergency and Evacuation Plans for Students, Staff and Visitors with Developmental Disabilities in Public School Facilities. The bill, heard before the Ways and Means Committee this week, establishes the creation of a task force to study and make recommendations for the best practices to accommodate students, teachers, staff and visitors with disabilities in the event of an emergency or evacuation.

Lori transformed her personal struggle to secure a safe school evacuation plan for daughter Cassidy into a statewide parent advocacy movement. Her story and this important bill for individuals with disabilities inspired television coverage by WMAR TV. Click here to view an interview with Lori and fellow parent advocate Steven Hess. The bill is scheduled to be discussed today by the House Ways and Means Education Subcommittee. Recognition also to Andrew Siske, legal intern for The Arc Maryland, for testifying about his research into other states' individualized evacuation plans.

 

 

 

This bill requires that private schools which receive state funding are not allowed to reject, expel, or withhold rights from students on specified discriminatory grounds, including disability, and provides a legal course for those who bring claims of discrimination.

Position: Support

HB 978 requires Maryland's educational accountability program to include at least three school quality indicators which are not based on student standardized test scores. The indicators would have to take into consideration resource inequities and budgetary needs. The accountability system developed would be used by MSDE to identify any subgroup of students which is consistently underperforming - such as students with disabilities - and provide additional supports to the subgroup.

Position: Support

The School emergency and evacuation plans across Maryland do not consistently accommodate individuals with disabilities. Regular professionally conducted fire drills will help prepare students and other individuals with disabilities to learn how to safely evacuate a school building. This bill mandates all schools to conform their fire drill schedules to the Maryland Fire Prevention Code.

Position: Support

Students with disabilities are disproportionately represented in the population of students who are subjected to school discipline across the state. This legislation would require every school system to adopt a consistent code of discipline and to collect data on the alternative school discipline methods used by schools including restorative practices.

Position: Support

Students with disabilities are disproportionately represented in the population of students who are subjected to school discipline across the state. This bill establishes a commission staffed by the Center for Dispute Resolution to study the current school disciplinary methods and to formulate a State disciplinary plan which incorporates the best restorative practices.

 

Decision meetings on the Governor's Proposed FY 2018 budget will capture our attention next week. DDA Budget Subcommittee Decision Meeting. These meetings will determine if the DDA 3.5% Rate Restoration gets into the budget.