Moving forward, vol. 12, no. 14 (2007 April 6)

Moving Forward
:: Legislative Update :: Leadership :: Senate Version of FY 07 Budget :: Budget Overview - FY 2008

The Developmental Disabilities Advocates' Guide to Legislation
April 6, 2007 - Volume 12 - Issue 14

The Legislature stands adjourned until Tuesday, April 10th, which will be the 34th day. See below for the schedule of remaining days. Sine die has not been set yet. The FY 2007 and 2008 budgets are still in progress. Moving Forward may need to adjust its publishing schedule due to the length of the session. Stay Tuned!

HR 473 schedules legislative days out to April 17th. Tues, April 10th: Day 34 Wed, April 11th: Day 35 Thurs, April 12th: Day 36 Fri, April 13 through Mon, April 16th: Adjourned Tues, April 17th: Day 37 It remains to be seen what happens with the last 3 days!

Legislative Update

Leadership

Visit www.vote-smart.org to identify your legislators

From this edition on, Moving Forward will only report on the bills that are still active in this year of the session. All bills not tracked here may be reactivated next session, but MF will focus on active bills and the budgets.
Senate Bills SB 10: Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act; provide public school students with disabilities to attend eligible private schools. Sponsor: Johnson, E. 1st Status: Senate Passed/Adopted committee substitute, House Second Readers
SB 39: Charter Systems Act; to provide for the establishment of charter systems; and other matters. Sponsors: Weber, D. 40th; Moody, D. 56th; Williams, T. 19th; Tarver, E. 22nd; Carter, J. 13th; Pearson, C. 51st Status: House Committee Favorably Reported

Senate Leadership-- Presiding: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle President Pro Tempore: Eric Johnson, 1st Majority Leader: Tommy Williams, 19th Majority Whip: Mitch Seabaugh, 28th Minority Leader: Robert Brown, 26th Minority Whip: David Adelman, 42nd
House Leadership-- Speaker, Glenn Richardson, 19th Speaker Pro Tempore: Mark Burkhalter, 50th Majority Leader: Jerry Keen, 179th Majority Whip: Barry Fleming, 117th Minority Leader: Dubose Porter, 143rd Minority Whip: Carolyn Hugley, 133rd
Senate Appropriations: Jack Hill, 4th House Appropriations: Ben Harbin, 118th

SB 49: Department of Labor; transfer of rehabilitation services; to provide for the delivery of certain services and techniques to deaf-blind individuals by an organization knowledgeable on deaf- blind issues. Sponsors: Thomas, R. 2nd; Harp, S. 29th; Johnson, E. 1st; Hudgens, R. 47th Status: House Second Readers

House Bills HB 24: Georgia Advance Directive for Health Care Act; enact. relating to health, so as to provide for an advance directive for health care which combines provisions of a living will and a durable power of attorney for health care. Sponsor: Tumlin, S. 38th Status: Senate Passed/Adopted

SB 61: Child-Placing Agency; require petitioner to submit to a criminal history records check.

HB 208: School Councils; to provide that the parent

Sponsors: Mullis, J. 53rd; Whitehead, Sr., J. 24th; members make up a majority on the school council;

Seay, V. 34th; Butler, G. 55th; Staton, C. 18th

to provide that the chairperson shall be a parent

Status: House Second Readers

member. Sponsors: Jones, J. 46th; Lindsey, E.

54th; Chambers, J. 81st; Talton, W. 145th; Coan,

SB 68: Career Academies Act of 2007; to provide M. 101st Status: Senate Referred to Education and

for the disbursement of funds by the State Board of Youth

Technical and Adult Education for career academies

established as charter schools. Sponsors: Weber, HB 233: Long-term Care Facility Resident Abuse

D. 40th; Carter, J. 13th; Douglas, J. 17th; Moody, Reporting Act; relating to protection of disabled

D. 56th; Thomas, D. 54th; Mullis, J. 53rd Status: adults and elder persons; to revise the definition of

House Committee Favorably Reported

the term "exploitation"; to change provisions

relating to criminal penalties. Sponsors: Ralston, D.

SB 122: Education; annual performance

7th; Mumford, R. 95th; Bearden, T. 68th; Oliver, M.

evaluations; to require that the annual evaluation is 83rd Status: Senate Referred to Judiciary

signed by the evaluator and provided to the

certificated person. Sponsors: Hill, J. 32nd; Rogers, HB 279: Katie Beckett waiver program; to require

C. 21st; Weber, D. 40th Status: House Second

certain procedures for determinations relating to

Readers

eligibility for medical assistance through the Katie

Beckett waiver program for children with Spina

SB 148: Saving the Cure Act; to create the

Bifida who have Myelomeningocele. Sponsors:

Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank for postnatal

Collins, D. 27th; Cooper, S. 41st; Burkhalter, M.

tissue and fluid; to provide for donations and

50th; Lundford, J. 110th; Ralston, D. 7th; Ehrhart,

information concerning donations; to provide for the E. 36th Status: Senate Referred to Appropriations

creation of the Georgia Commission for Saving the

Cure and the membership, appointment, terms of HB 332: Relating to program weights, maximum

office, and duties of such commission; to provide for class size, and reporting requirements under the

certain funding mechanisms. Sponsors: Shafer, D. "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to delay the

48th; Staton, C. 18th; Thomas, C. 54th; Roger, C. implementation of certain maximum class size

21st; Heath, B. 31st; Carter, J. 13th Status: House requirements. Sponsors: Coleman, B. 97th; Millar,

Second Readers

F. 79th; Hembree, B. 67th; Jones, J. 46th; Maxwell,

H. 17th; Bearden, T. 68th Status: Senate Referred

SB 153: To provide for the development of

to Education & Youth

consumer driven health insurance plans by the

Commissioner of Insurance; to allow such plans to HB 340: To revise the threshold income amount for

include wellness and health promotion programs. eligibility for PeachCare to 200 percent of the

Sponsors: Hill, J. 32nd Status: House Second

federal poverty level. Sponsors: Richardson, G.

Readers

19th; Golick, R. 34th; Ehrhart, E. 36th; Keen, J.

179th; Burkhalter, M. 50th Status: Senate Referred

SB 168: Relating to educational programs under

to Rules

the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to enact the

"Deaf Child's Bill of Rights Act"; to require that a

HB 366: Guide or service dog; to provide that every

school system will take into account the specific

person engaged in the raising of a dog for training

communication needs of a deaf student; to provide as a guide or service dog shall have the right to be

for the explanation of options to the parent or

accompanied by such dog in the same manner as a

guardian of a deaf student; to provide that a deaf totally or partially blind, deaf, or physically disabled

student shall not be denied the opportunity for

person under certain conditions. Sponsors:

instruction in a particular communication mode or Bearden, T. 68th; Meadows, J. 5th; Tumlin, S. 38th

language. Sponsors: Smith, P. 52nd; Butler, G.

Status: Senate Passed/Adopted

55th; Moody, D. 56th; Mullis, J. 53rd; Seay, V.

34th; Reed, K. 35th Status: House Second Readers HB 549: To establish requirements for basic

therapy services for children with disabilities; to

SB 190: Relating to issues of insanity and mental provide certain requirements relating to

incompetency in pretrial proceedings; to provide

administrative prior approval for services and

that the committing court may have discretion to

appeals; to provide for a modification to the state

allow evaluation in the community for certain

plan for medical assistance regarding the rate of

defendants. Sponsors: Harp, S. 29th; Meyer von payment to providers of medical assistance services.

Bremen, M. 12th; Moody, D. 56th; Goggans, G. 7th; Sponsors: Burkhalter, M. 50th Status: Senate

Thomas, D. 54th; Cowsert, B. 46th Status: House Referred to Appropriations

Second Readers

HB 655: To change certain provisions relating to a

SB 218: Relating to ad valorem taxation of

definition of hearing impaired person; and the

property, so as to provide for an exemption on the Georgia Service Center for Hearing Impaired

homestead of certain disabled persons for the total Persons; to create the Georgia Commission on

value of the homestead; to provide that motor

Hearing Impaired and Deaf Persons. Sponsors:

vehicles owned by certain disabled persons shall be Smith, B. 113th; Holt, D. 112th; Amerson, A. 9th

exempt from ad valorem taxation. Sponsor: Tarver, Status: Senate Referred to Health & Human

E. 22nd Status: House Second Readers

Services

Senate Resolutions

House Resolutions

SR 20: Taxation; Proposing an amendment to the HR 322: A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study

Constitution so as to provide for limitations on state Committee on Continuing Education and Collegiate

government taxation and expenditures; to provide Sports Programs for Students with Disabilities.

for the submission of this amendment for ratification Sponsors: Harbin, B. 118th; Smith, B. 113th;

or rejection; and for other purposes. Sponsors:

Burkhalter, M. 50th Status: Senate Referred to

Rogers, M. 21st; Seabaugh, M. 28th; Person, C.

Higher Education

51st; Wiles, J. 37th; Hill, J. 32nd; Heath, B. 31st

Status: House Second Readers

HR 380: A RESOLUTION recognizing and

commending the advocacy efforts on behalf of all

SR 154: A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Human current, former, and future youth in foster care by

Services Transportation Study Commission; to

the Youth Advocates of Georgia: the Metro Atlanta

provide for the membership, powers, duties, and

Youth Opportunities Initiative (MAYOI), the Youth

mission of the commission. Sponsors: Mullis, J.

Advisory Board of the Multi-Agency Alliance for

53rd; Whitehead, J. 24th; Hill, J. 32nd; Douglas, J. Children (MAAC), and For Youth, By Youth (FYBY).

17th Status: House Second Readers

Sponsors: Manning, J. 32nd; Neal, J. 1st; May, J.

111th; Ashe, K. 56th; Jerguson, S. 22nd; Carter, A.

SR 355: A RESOLUTION creating the Joint Study

175th Status: House Read and Adopted

Committee on Health Care Transformation.

Sponsors: Hill, J. 32nd; Harp, S. 29th; Thomas, D.

54th; Rogers, C. 21st; Hamrick, W. 30th; Pearson,

C. 51st Status: House Second Readers

Budget Overview - FY 2008

Funding for Fiscal Year 2008, running from

SR 363: A RESOLUTION creating the Mental Health July 1, 2007 to June 30th, 2008

Service Delivery Commission. Sponsors: Grant, J.

25th; Tarver, E. 22nd; Unterman, R. 45th; Hill, J. 4th; Goggans, G. 7th; Bulloch, J. 11th Status: House Second Readers

We have only listed the key budget items the Council is tracking. For additional budget items, please visit:

www.gcdd.org/publicpolicy/moving/index2007.htm

Senate Version of FY 07 Budget
Fiscal Year 07 budget: The House withdrew Notice to Reconsider HB 94 on the 27th, and the budget was transmitted immediately to the Senate. Senate

Department of Community Health: Increase the reimbursement rate for SOURCE enhanced case management by $25 per member per month; $900,873

Appropriations passed its version 3-28. Major items are reported below. Final Vote on the FY 07 is pending.

Consolidate Medicaid funds from Aged, Blind and Disabled, Low Income Medicaid, Nursing Home Provider Fees, and projected quality assessment

fees from the Indigent Care Trust Fund to one fund;

$2,118,562,926

Department of Community Health:

Increase funds to pre-fund projected FY 08 Medicaid Implement the Money Follows Person Grant to

expenses $73,000,000

balance the distribution of services between

Increase funds to cover PeachCare growth

institutions and the community; YES

$8,248,614

Department of Early Care and Learning:

Department of Early Care and Learning:

Fund an additional 3,000 slots in the Pre-K program,

Fund an additional 1,586 slots in the Pre-K program, bringing enrollment to 78,000; $12,628,598

bringing the total pre-K enrollment to 76,586

$6,428,932

Department of Education:

Expand graduation coaches to middle schools;

Department of Education:

$21,101,588

Increase funds to extend the consultant contract for

the Governor's Education Task Force $80,000

Adjust funds for training and experience for HS

Increase funds to provide for a 10% salary increase graduation coaches and add funds for G.C. at 12

for new teachers achieving National Board

new HS and the state schools; $8,075,069

Certification $1,256,593

Increase funds for the mid-term adjustment

Increase funds for training new graduation coaches;

$5,215,684

$250,000

Increase funds for training and experience for state

school teachers $127,656

Transfer funds from State Reading and Math

Program and Central Office to GLRS to provide

Department of Human Resources:

targeted training for teachers of students with

Increase funds for the state hospital deficit for adult disabilities; $2,250,000

mental health and direct care and support services $9,000,000

Add funds to the Preschool handicapped program; $1,089,418

Fund additional behavior support specialists for SED network; YES

Augment budget for state schools; repairs to buildings, travel for PINES, 5 new instructors at Atlanta School for the Deaf, compensation for training and experience; $2,200,913

Department of Human Resources: Realign funds to reflect program restructuring for FY 2008 to allow for provision of services to Georgia citizens by combining Adult addictive disease services, adult developmental disabilities services, adult forensic services, adult mental health services, adult nursing homes services in the Adult Services Program; $419,096,313 total $609,357,207

Child and Adolescent Services Program; $93,482,191; total $127,001,984

Fund 1330 waiver slots for consumers on the MR/DD waiting list in the Adult Services [$9,494,160] and Child and Adolescent Services [$1,944,587]; State, $11,438,747 Total, $26,050,279

Redirect $802,733 state funds to fund an additional 170 slots for the MR/DD waiting list; YES

Annualize the cost of 1,500 waiver slots from 2007 for the MR/DD waiting list; State, $9,513,473 Total, $24,225,745

Transfer funds for treatment of child and adolescent therapeutic services from Out of Home Care program to Child and Adolescent Services Program; $33,024,017

Upgrade state hospital facilities; HVAC, roofs, etc; $1,970,000

Provide funds for 500 slots in the Community Care Services Program for elderly clients; $2,079,800

Provide funds for 1,000 slots in non- Medicaid eligible elderly clients for Home and Community Based Supports; $2,700,000

The Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities collaborates with Georgia citizens, public and private advocacy organizations, and policymakers to positively influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
For further information, please contact pnobbie@dhr.state.ga.us or vmsuber@dhr.state.ga.us email: pnobbie@dhr.state.ga.us phone: 1-888-ASK-GCDD, TDD 404-657-2133 web: http://www.gcdd.org