Moving forward, vol. 14, no. 12 (2009 April 2)

Moving Forward
Brought to you by the Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Developmental Disabilities Advocates' Guide to Legislation
April 2, 2009 Volume 14--Issue 12

Home Stretch

Day 39

Budget: The budget conferees are meeting at 10:30 this morning. There are still many differences between the House and Senate versions that need to be worked out. The Senate restored some of the funding for the 135 waiver services in the MHDDAD budget, see below. At the last minute, we also had to work on restoring funding for the GAO's Citizen Advocacy program in the DCA budget, $249.902.

Restructuring of DHR: The HB 228 conferees will meet today to sign off on the bill, which is expected to be on the desks for a vote tomorrow. Advocates' views on many issues were taken into consideration in the legislation. We will summarize the final result in next week's issue.

The final print version of Moving Forward will be issued on April 9th, after Sine Die.

Department of Human Resources

Department of Education FY 2010

FY 2010 (beginning July 1, 2009) Figures reflect adult, and child and adolescent programs.

Increase funds for SB 10 Special Needs Scholarship

Reduce funds to reflect the revised revenue estimate

$5,978,162

(5,391,480) Reduce grant funding for Residential Treatment Centers

Recognize funding from the ARRA by increasing fed-

(120,337)

eral funds to reflect a change in the Medicaid federal participation rate from 65% to 75%. (42,743,523) Reduce funding for Special Education Low-incidence

Grants

(24,802)

Reduce training for MHDDAD

(510,534)

Reduce the Preschool Handicapped Program based on

Provide funds for 150 MRWP waiver slots for Money

Follows the Person program

$2,387,318

projected need

(729,432)

Annualize the cost of 365 waiver slots $3,309,899 Reduce QBE funding

(147,202,564)

Reduce funds for vacant 135 MRWP slots pro-

vided for in FY 2009 budget

(3,368,458)

Senate: restore funds for slots $2,419,908

Provide for savings by reflecting the FY 2010 FMAP (2,010,969)

Funding was restored in the House for Matthew Reardon Center, $200,000, and Marcus Institute, $500,000.

Reduce additional QBE enhancements

(50,000,000)

Replace State funds with ARRA funds to mitigate auster-

ity reductions

(375,000,000)

Increase funds for QBE enrollment growth and for train-

ing and experience (K-3)

(66,459,413)

Provide for a 3% reduction to the RESAs

(374,022)

Provider rates were held harmless from cuts, but re- School Nurses: House restored

$29,100,000

ceived no increases. Funds were provided by pro-

vider fees in the DCH budget

(863,724) Reduce funds for the Severely Emotionally Disturbed pro-

Reduce Various contracts

gram (500,000)

(1,957,711)

Aging: Reduce funds for Alzheimer's Respite services Legislation [The bills reflected in this issue of (190,281) Moving Forward crossed over on Day 30, and are still active. Most other bills were removed

Reduce funds for non-Medicaid HCBS respite ser-

for space consideration. The final issue of Mov-

vices through attrition

(2,723,282) ing Forward will include a list of bills carried

Replace state funds for senior nutritional services

over to next session.]

(meals on wheels) with federal ARRA funds

HB 69: So as to clarify provisions relating to a candidate for nonre-

$1,045,000 suscitation and authorization for an order not to resuscitate and to

remove statutory ambiguity. Sponsors: Jerguson, 22; Cooper, 41;
Department of Community Health FY 2010 Channell, 116; Mitchell, 88; Kaiser, 59. Status: Senate Passed/

Adopted

Recognize funding from the ARRA by increasing fed-

eral funds to reflect a change in the Medicaid federal HB 118: Supplemental Appropriations, State Fiscal Year July 1,

participation rate from 65% to 75%.

(321,822,678)

2008 to June 30, 2009. Sponsors: Richardson, 19; Keen, 17; Burkhalter, 50; Harbin, 115; Cole, 125; Pruett, 144. Status: Signed

by the Governor
Reduce state general funds provided in FY 2009 for

provider rate increases (H: delay the FY 2009 pro- HB 119: Appropriations, State Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 to June 30,

vider rate increases)

(35,083,373) 2010. Sponsors: Richardson, 19; Keen, 17; Burkhalter, 50; Harbin,
115; Cole, 125; Pruett, 144. Status: App; Conference Committee

Add 100 ICWP waiver slots for the Money Follows

Appointed

the Person Program

$1,572,750 HB 128: Relating to disabled veterans and blind persons engaging

[Budget conferees were still working as of publication time. Next week's issue will sum-

in peddling, operating businesses, or practicing professions, so as to provide that a certificate of eligibility for an exemption from occupation taxes, administrative fees, and regulatory fees shall be valid

marize all appropriations and cuts.]

for a period of ten years; Sponsor: Benton 31. Status: Senate Read and Referred to I & L

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.

HB 149: Relating to financing under the "Quality Basic Education SB 39: So as to provide for a 1 percent sales tax to be used to fund

Act," so as to enact the "Move on When Ready Act"; to provide for transportation projects in special transportation districts within the

definitions; to provide a program for eleventh and twelfth grade stu- state; to provide for the creation of such districts, the governance

dents to attend postsecondary colleges and schools for high school credit; Sponsors: Jones, 46; Hembree, 67; Dempsey, 13; Powell,

thereof, and the development of a list of transportation projects by the district; and other. Sponsors: Mullis, 53; Stoner, 6; Williams, 19; Reed, 35; Rogers, 21 and others. Status: Senate Agrees to House

171; Harden, 147. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Passed/Adopted

Amend or Sub

HB 228: So as to reorganize and reestablish various state health SB 153: relating to parking for persons with disabilities, so as to pro-

and human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, vide for use of more than one parking place by persons with disabili-

the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behav- ties when all parking places for persons with disabilities are full.

ioral Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Com- Sponsors: Henson, 41; Ramsey, 43. Status: Hum R; House Community Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new mittee Favorably Reported

agencies; Sponsors: Butler, 18; Harbin, 118; Cole, 125; Keen, 179; Olive, 83. Status: Conference Committee Appointed

SB 161: Relating to insurance coverage for autism, so as to require certain insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders.

Sponsors: Grant, 25; Williams, 19; Johnson, 1; Thomas, 54; HB 457: Relating to protection of disabled adults and elder persons, Cowsert, 46. Status: I&L; Tabled on crossover day so as to revise the definition of the term "disabled adult"; to provide

that certain acts against disabled adults in long-term care facilities SB 165: So as to authorize DCH to obtain income eligibility verifica-
are unlawful; and other matters. Sponsors: Peake, 137; Cooper, 41, tion from the Department of Revenue for applicants for Medicaid and

Horne, 71; Levitas, 82; Lundsford, 110. Status: Senate Insist

PeachCare programs. Sponsors: Goggans, 7; Williams, 19; Hill, 4;

Hawkins, 49. Status: Ins; Senate Agrees to House Amend or Sub

HB 565: Relating to handicapped persons, so as to create the Com-

mission for the Blind and the Visually Impaired; to provide for legisla- SB 222: so as to reorganize and reestablish various state health and

tive intent; to provide for the composition and appointment of com- human services agencies; to establish the Department of Health, the

mission members; to provide for an executive director; to provide for Department of Human Services, and the Department of Behavioral

an annual report; to provide for a complaint process; to specify the Health; to reassign various functions of the Department of Commu-

powers and duties of the commission, transferring functions other- nity Health and the Department of Human Resources to the new

wise assigned Sponsors: Howard, 121; Parham, 141; Benifeild, 85; agencies. Sponsors: Unterman, 45; Hill, 4; Williams, 19; Grant, 25;

Status: HumR; House Second Readers.

Goggans, 7. Status: App; House Second Readers.

HB 566: To enact the "Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act"; to provide definitions; to require an evaluation of a blind or visually impaired child to determine such child's need for Braille instruction; to require Braille instruction in the individualized education program of a blind or visually impaired student; to provide requirements for textbook publishers relating to Braille instructional materials; to provide license requirements relating to Braille for certain teachers Sponsors: Manning, 32; Reese, 11; Status: Ed; House Second Readers.
SB 5: Relating to the use of safety belts in passenger vehicles, so as to eliminate certain exceptions to the required use of safety belts; Sponsors: Thomas, 54; Hill, 4; Harp, 29; Stoner, 6; Hill, 32; and others. Status: A&CA; House Second Readers.
SB 25: Relating to income tax returns and information, so as to authorize taxpayers to make certain contributions through the income tax payment and refund process to programs for the education regarding and alleviation of multiple sclerosis; Sponsors: Seay, 34; Adelman, 42; Brown, 26; Butler, 55; Orrock, 36 and others. Status: W&M; House Second Readers.

SB 244: relating to definitions relative to the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act," so as to provide that the performance of health maintenance activities by a designated caregiver shall not be prohibited; Sponsors: Unterman, 45; Thomas, 54; Goggans, 7. Status: H&HS; House Insist, conferees appointed
SB 247: relating to general provisions relative to standards and requirements for construction of buildings and other structures generally, so as to enact the "New Home Access Act"; to require new atgrade residential structures to include certain accessibility features. Sponsors: Orrock, 36; Douglas, 17; Moody, 56; Jones, 10; Hill, 32 and others. Status: RU&I; Senate Read & Referred.
SR 56: A Resolution creating the Georgia Vulnerable Adult Study Commission. Sponsors: Ramsey, 43 Status: H&HS; Read & Referred.
Sine Die is April 3rd.

Who Are My Elected Officials?--Find your legislators, learn House and Senate leadership
Visit www.vote-smart.org to identify your legislators. Find your legislators' contact information at www.legis.state.ga.us House Information, 1-800-282-5800; Senate Information 1-800-282-5803
Senate Leadership--Presiding: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; President Pro Tempore: Tommy Williams, 19th; House Leadership-- Speaker of the House: Glenn Richardson, 19th; Speaker Pro Tempore: Mark Burhalter, 50th; Senate Appropriations--Chair: Jack Hill, 4th; Sub Com. Chair Education: Dan Moody, 56th; Sub Com. Chair Community Health: Greg Goggans, 7th; Sub Com. Chair Human Development: Renee Unterman, 45th.
House Appropriations--Chair: Ben Harbin, 118th; Vice Chair Education: Jan Jones, 46th; Vice Chair Health: Mickey Channell, 116th; Vice Chair Human Services: Mark Butler, 18th. Contact information for the Governor--The Honorable Sonny Perdue, 203 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334; 404-656-1776, http://gov.state.ga.us

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