The Arc of Maryland Legislative Update – April 12, 2010


Budget
The FY 2011 State Budget was adopted with no cuts to DDA and restoration of $750,000 for the DHR Respite Care Program. Budget language was adopted to require DDA to submit reports on the Waiting List, Transitioning Youth and Level of Care Evaluations. Transitioning Youth was fully funded.

Priority Bills
· SB 633/HB 1034 - Rate Commission and Adjustments passed tonight!! This legislation requires the same increase/level of funding to DD/Mental Health Community Programs as the state programs, not to exceed 4% increase and a hold harmless of not less than 0 percent; sunset in 5 years with a study for rates.
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· SB 920/HB 1226Developmental Disabilities Administration – Low Intensity Support Services (LISS) passed – establishes the LISS program in statute; clarifies that services are not one-time only; waives the requirement that families of minor children apply for Medicaid; and waives the requirement that applicants apply for the Waiting List; and lists the services that are provided.
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· SB 28/HB 816 -The Honorable Lorraine M. Sheehan Act to Protect Voting Rights Act for Individuals under Guardianship for Mental Disability Passed.
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· SB 540/HB 269/- Child with a Disability – Individualized Education Program Passed. Requires schools to provide all information in writing to parents within five business days of the IEP meeting. The bill had been in conference committee debating between 3-5 business days – the bill passed with 5 business days’ requirement.
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· SB 318/HB 830 – Developmental Disabilities Waiting List – Voluntary State Income Tax Check off Passed.
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· SB 465/HB 900 – Developmental Disabilities Administration – Recipient Appeals Passed.
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· SB 465/HB 59 – Task Force to Explore the Incorporation of the Principles of Universal Design for Learning into the Education Systems in Maryland Passed with Amendments.
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· SB 717/ HB 832 – The Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act of 2010 was not voted on in committee and subsequently has not passed this Session.

Bill Signing
The Governor will be signing bills into law on April 13, May 4 and May 20. Watch for updates on key bill signings.
Thank you!
The successes this Session were due to our chapters, grassroots membership and unified leadership among developmental disability advocacy organizations. Starting with Town Hall meetings, many of you who testified at the budget hearings, to DD Day at the Legislature, bill hearings on LISS, Rate Commission and more, and your ongoing response to alerts, we had a very positive legislative year! Thank you very much!!