SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1234 FILED ON: 1/19/2017
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 56
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Barbara A. L'Italien
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to passage to independence.
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PETITION OF:
Name: | District/Address: |
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Barbara A. L'Italien | Second Essex and Middlesex |
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James B. Eldridge | Middlesex and Worcester | 2/1/2017 |
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1234 FILED ON: 1/19/2017
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 56
By Ms. L'Italien, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 56) of Barbara A. L'Italien and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to passage to independence. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. |
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 85 OF 2015-2016.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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An Act relative to passage to independence.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
SECTION 1. The Department of Developmental Services, hereinafter DDS shall support a minimum of 200 persons in supported competitive employment or competitive employment not including congregate work settings, sheltered workshops, work enclaves or group work settings, with the exception of work enclaves for a time period of no longer than 6 months, if it is determined that this is an appropriate step towards the individuals employment or supported employment. DDS shall address the need for residential services for individuals over the age of 22 who received no prior funding for community residential or family support services including but not limited to family partnerships to 24 hour/7 day support in group settings.
SECTION 2. The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission shall provide Community-based employment supports fort individuals who are by virtue of becoming 22 years of age, no longer eligible for Special Education services of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
SECTION 3. Under the direction of the Executive Office of Human Services and in consultation with the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Department shall develop a transparent process for prioritization of individual need for services and supports.
SECTION 4. Revenue, Sale of State Property
Under the direction of the Secretary of Administration and Finance and the Secretary of the Executive Office of Human Services, a defined percentage of federal revenue as by the Secretaries, over and above a reasonable fiscal year revenue projection, will be retained and returned to the Department for specific use in support of the aforementioned populations reaching the age of 22 years, or upon graduation from high school. These funds will be targeted for emergency family support intervention. In the event of the sale of state school, ICF-MR's land and property, 100% of the proceeds will be directed to the Department of Developmental Disabilities for the express purpose of community-based residential, family, employment and transportation supports for individuals in the future who by virtue of reaching age 22 are no longer eligible for special education services.