Moving forward, vol. 17, no. 13 (2012 March 29)

Moving Forward
Brought to you by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

The Developmental Disabilities Advocates' Guide to Legislation
March 29, 2012 Volume 17--Issue 13

SINE DIE! The House and Senate adjourned at midnight Thursday night after a frantic few hours clearing both legislative calendars. Unfortunately, advocates were not able to move SB 373, the Accessible Taxi Cab Legislation, off the House Rules Calendar, despite heroic efforts and widespread support from the stakeholders involved in the effort.

The summer interim presents us with substantial challenges and opportunities. We'll work on the Taxi legislation, IDA legislation, Home Access Legislation, track developments in Medicaid Redesign, the Olmstead Plan, and the Balancing Incentive Payment Program application and how these new federal funds will be used to augment the home and community based services in the next budgets. There will be a T-SPLOST referendum in July! STAY CONNECTED!

House and Senate News:

Department of Community Health; FY 2013

House Leadership -- Speaker of the House: David Ralston, 7th; Speaker Pro Tempore: Jan Jones, 46th. Majority Leader: Larry O'Neal, 146th; Minority Leader: Stacey Abrams, 84th.
Senate Leadership--Presiding: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; President Pro Tempore: Tommie Williams, 19th; Majority Leader: Chip Rogers, 21st; Majority Whip: Cecil Staton, 18th; Minority Leader: Steve Henson, 41st. Minority Whip: Vincent Fort, 39th.

Provide funds for 50 Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP)

waiver slots

state

$801,101

federal

$2,362,499

Department of Public Health; FY 2013

Increase funds to maintain screening and home visit services

for low birth weight newborns, newborns at risk of develop-

mental delays, and cases of abuse and neglect in the Children

1st program due to the loss of the federal (TANF)

Supplemental grant

$2,200,000

Contact information for the Governor--The Honorable Nathan Deal, 203 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334; 404-656-1776, http://gov.state.ga.us

Department of Human Services; FY 2013 Vocational Rehabilitation services will move from Department of Labor to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency,

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

attached to DHS for administrative purposes, per HB 1146, the

your legislators' contact information at www.legis.state.ga.us

authorizing legislation. The following Divisions will be part of

House Information, 1-800-282-5800; Senate Information 1-800- the new agency.

282-5803.

Business Enterprise Program

state funds

$267,655

total funds

$2,233,740

Budget Information:

Disability Adjudication Unit

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Georgia Industries for the Blind

Disabilities; FY 2013 FINAL

Roosevelt Warm Springs Inst.

Provide funding for developmental disabilities consumers

community settings to comply with the DOJ settlement agree- Vocational Rehabilitation

ment:

$4,216,000

total funds
total funds
state funds total funds
state funds total funds

$55,598,820
$11,828,888
$5,484,053 $31,366,429
$12,851,140 $79,324,509

Includes:

Family Support:

$1,466,000

This figure reflects the average actual costs of family support delivered in the past fiscal year.

9 crisis respite homes, 6 mobile crisis teams: $2,300,000

Provide for additional 150 COMP waivers and annualize the

cost of 100 NOW and COMP waivers from FY 2012(community

waivers)

$5,290,181

Transfer grant funds from the Department of Labor to the

Governor's Office of Workforce Development

$68,165,067

Department of Education; FY 2013
The biggest changes in the Department of Education budget were to wrap a few more items into the Quality Basic Education Formula which comprise the state portion of each student's funding.
Provide an increase based on 0.36% enrollment growth and for training and experience, based on actual enrollment and include $6,746,857 increase to special needs scholarship
$112,482,890

Use the Balancing Incentive Payment Program for additional

100 NOW / COMP waivers in the community:

YES

Use the Balancing Incentive Payment Program to annualize

the cost of 150 FY 2012 COMP waivers

YES

Use the Balancing Incentive Payment Program to annualize

the cost of NOW and COMP waivers for youth aging out of

DFCS

YES

Increase funds for the Emory Autism Center

$100,000

Increase funds for the Matthew Reardon Center for Autism.

$100,000

Forensic Services; statewide evaluators

$450,000

new 40 bed forensic unit

$5,600,000

Provide differentiated pay for newly certified math and science

teachers.

$3,020,931

Provide grant to State Special Charter Schools

$8,647,953

Transfer funds for Pupil Transportation ($127,704,479) and

School Nurses ($29,951,158) into the Quality Basic Education

Program

$157,655,637

Transfer funds for Georgia Special Needs Scholarships to the

Quality Basic Education Program

$10,144,033

Increase funds for the American Association of Adapted Sports

Programs

$40,000

Increase funds for training and experience in State Schools $190,757
Provide funds for one AP exam free/reduced lunch students. $177,175

The BIPP will provide an extra 2% increase of the federal match rate for Medicaid HCBS services. An estimated $19,086,355 in the DCH budget reflects the anticipated extra funding, which must be used for HCBS services.

Department of Human Services--Aging FY 2013
The Division of Aging did NOT lose the 2% cuts to Alzheimer's Respite, ($225,000), HCBS Respite ($405,556), and the Center for the Visually Impaired ($177,859). The Council on Aging was cut 2%.

The Georgia 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.

Legislation: HOUSE FINAL PASSED

Committee Favorably Reported.

HB 347: Relating to employment security, so as to change certain provisions relating to unemployment compensation; to change the amount of taxable wages, certain provisions relating to the State-wide Reserve Ratio, to change certain provisions relating to

HB 641: To substantially revise, supersede, and modernize provisions relating to juvenile proceedings. Sponsors: Willard, 49; Lindsey, 54; Abrams, 84; Collins, 27; Oliver, 83. Status: Judy; Senate Read & Referred.

determination of the weekly benefit amount. Sponsors: Hembree, HB 920: Relating to the contents and form of the budget report, so

67; Meadows, 5; Lindsey, 54; Maxwell, 17; Murphy, 120; Heard,

as to require certain items to be included in the tax expenditure

114. Status: House Conference Committee Report Adopted.

review. Sponsors: Martin, 47; Abrams, 84; Lindsey, 54; Williamson,

HB 386: Relating to revenue and taxation, agriculture, the General 111. Status: B&FAO; House Committee Favorably Reported.

Assembly, insurance, local government, public utilities, and state

HR 1335: To authorize the creation of state charter schools; to

government, to provide for comprehensive revision of the revenue

authorize State Board of Education to overturn a decision by a local

structure of the State of GA. Sponsors: Channell, 116; O'Neal, 146; board of education regarding approval or denial of a local charter

Jones, 46; Peake, 137. Status: Senate Passed/Adopted.

school. Sponsors: Holcomb, 82; Frazier,123; Ashe,56; Hugley, 133;

HB 713: Relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," so as to delay Parent, 81. Status: Ed; House Second Readers.

implementation of some career and college readiness initiatives until HR 1722: Creating the House Study Committee on Alternative Living

the 2013-2014 school year; to require career education in grades

Services Reimbursement Rates. Sponsor: Stephens, 164. Status:

k-12; to change the mandated assessment for postsecondary

HR&A; House Committee Favorably Reported.

readiness to the end of 11th grade. Sponsors: Nix, 69; Coleman, Legislation: SENATE FINAL PASSED

97; Davis, 109; Kaiser, 59; Carter, 175; Casas, 103. Status: ED&Y; SB 410: Relating to accountability assessment for K-12 education, to

House Agrees Senate Amendment.

provide for annual indicators of quality of learning by students,

HB 741: To amend an Act providing appropriations for the State

financial efficiency, and school climate for individual schools and for

Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012.

school systems. Sponsors: Williams,19;Mullis, 53; Rogers, 21;

Sponsors: Ralston, 7; Jones, 46; O'Neal, 146; England, 108.

Jeffares, 17; Heath, 31. Status: Ed; Senate agrees House Amend or

Status: House Date Signed by Governor.

Sub.

HB 742: To make and provide appropriations for State Fiscal year

SB 489: Relating to emergency medical services, to require the

beginning July 1, 2012, and ending June 30, 2013. Sponsors:

Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission to report annually to the

Ralston, 7; Jones, 46; O'Neal, 146; England, 108. Status: App,

House and Senate Committees on HHS documenting certain

Senate Passed /Adopted.

outcomes and verifying certain expenditures. Sponsors: Mullis, 53;

HB 745: To require the Department of Public Health to study

Unterman, 45; Albers,56; Rogers, 21; Gooch, 51; Wilkinson, 50.

whether pulse oximetry screening should be a standard test for

Status: H&HS; House Passed/Adopted.

newborns for detection of congenital heart defects. Sponsors:

SR 646: To ensure the necessary conditions for expanded

Welch, 110; Ramsey, 72; Cooper, 41; Manning, 32; Watson, 163. high-quality digital learning opportunities for the students of this

Status: H&HS, Senate Passed/Adopted.

state. Sponsor: Rogers, 21. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Passed/Adopted.

HB 861: Relating to law enforcement officers, so as to require law SR 979: Creating Senate Aging Study Committee. Sponsor:

enforcement agencies to report drug related arrests to DHS; relating Unterman, 45. Status: HHS; Senate Passed/Adopted.

to general provisions for public assistance, so as to require drug testing for applicants and recipients of state administered TANF benefits. Sponsors: Harden, 28; Ramsey, 72; Allison, 8; Dempsey, 13; McBrayer, 153; Dutton, 166. Status: HHS; House agrees Senate

Legislation: SENATE FINAL DEAD
SB 292: To enact the "Social Responsibility and Accountability Act;" to provide that the DHS shall create an established drug test to be

Amendment or Sub.

administered to each applicant for TANF benefits. Sponsors: Albers,

HB 954: Relating to abortion, to change certain provisions relating to criminal abortion; to change certain provisions relating to when

56; Rogers, 21; Gooch, 51; Shafer, 48; Carter, 1; Lignon, Jr., 3. Status: Judy: House Committee Favorably reported.

abortion is legal; to require a determination of gestational age prior SB 312: Relating to public assistance, so as to require applicants for

to abortion. Sponsors: McKillip, 115; Collins, 27; England, 108;

food stamps to engage in personal growth activities; Sponsors:

Hamilton, 23; Sheldon, 105; Peake, 137. Status: Senate Conference Committee Report Adopted.

Lignon, 3; Albers, 56; Carter, 1; Williams, 19. Status: Judy; House Committee Favorably reported.

HB 1110: To revise provisions relating to penalties relative to the owning or operating of unlicensed personal care homes; to authorize the DCH to provide for additional criminal offenses for background checks for owners and employees. Sponsors: Cooper, 41; Benton, 31; Yates,73; Howard, 121; Lindsey, 54. Status: HHS; Senate Passed/Adopted.
HB 1146: To create the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Services Board; and other matters. Sponsors: McCall, 30; Carter, 175; Hatchett, 143; Collins, 27. Status: HHS; Senate Passed/Adopted.
HB 1166: To provide for individual health insurance coverage to children through child-only health policies; to establish a mandatory, uniform open enrollment period; to provide for guaranteed issue coverage regardless of health status; to provide for special enrollment periods for loss of coverage because of a qualifying event; Sponsors: Atwood, 179; Smith, 131; Meadows, 5; Maxwell, 17; Williams, 113; Dollar, 45. Status: I&L; Senate Passed/Adopted.
HR 1162: To clarify authority of state to establish state-wide education policy; to restate the authority of the General Assembly to establish special schools. Sponsors: Jones, 46; Coleman, 97; Lindsey, 54; Kaiser, 59; Morgan, 39; Hatchett, 143. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Passed/Adopted.
HR 1725: Recognizing the need to raise awareness of Down syndrome. Sponsors: Nimmer, 178; Houston, 170; Powell, 171; Collins, 27. Status: House Read and Adopted.

SB 373: Relating to certificates of public necessity and convenience and medallions for vehicles for hire, to provide for authority to operate vehicles for hire equipped to transport passengers in wheelchairs throughout the state. Sponsors: Mullis, 53; Jackson, 24; Unterman, 45; Hill, 32; Stoner, 6. Status: Trans; House Committee Favorably Reported.
SB 438: Relating to state employees' health insurance plan, to provide that no health insurance plan for employees of the state shall offer coverage for abortion services. Sponsors: Crane, 28; Rogers, 21; Shafer, 48; Williams, 19; Lignon, Jr., 3; McKoon, 29. Status: Ins; Engrossed upon third reading in Senate.
SB 443: To provide that a defendant must be found to be mentally retarded by a preponderance of the evidence to be found guilty but mentally retarded. Sponsors: Fort, 39; Orrock, 36; Jones, 10; Davenport, 44; Butler, 55. Status: Judy; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 455: Relating to unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions unlawful, to authorize licensed personal care homes and community living arrangements to use certain terms. Sponsors: Goggans, 7; Hill, 4; Williams, 19; Golden, 8; Orrock, 36. Status: HHS; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 460: Relating to insurance, so as to provide a religious exception for the requirement that every health benefit policy in this state provide coverage for contraceptives. Sponsors: McKoon, 29; Shafer, 48; Lignon, Jr., 3; Hill, 32. Status: Ins; House Second Readers.

Legislation: HOUSE FINAL DEAD
HB 432: To allow employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members. Sponsors: Dempsey, 13; Manning, 32; Smith, 129; McKillip, 115; Sims, 119; Kaiser, 59. Status: IR; House

SB 469: Relating to labor organizations and labor relations, to provide that certain provisions prohibiting mass picketing shall apply to certain private residences; provide for an action to enjoin unlawful mass picketing. Sponsors: Balfour, 9; Hamrick, 30; Cowsert, 46; Tolleson, 20. Status: IndR; House Second Readers.

www.gcdd.org www.unlockthewaitinglists.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Capitol Impact

Moving Forward e-Updates available at http://www.gcdd.orgpublicpolicyindex.htm
2 Peachtree Street, NW Suite 26-246 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 http://www.gcdd.org
888-ASK-GCDD TDD 404-657-2133 FAX 404-657-2132
Return service requested ( ) Please check here and return to your mail carrier
if you no longer wish to receive Moving Forward.