The Council actively supports legislation benefiting people with developmental disabilities and opposes bills that reduce or curtail services and/or opportunities. We will update the status of our platform on a regular basis.
 

The following legislation is currently under consideration by the Massachusetts Legislature:

HB87  /  SB24: An Act to support the transition to adult services for persons with disabilities. (Bridges to Success)

Sponsor: Representative Mark Cusack and Senator Gale Candaras

01/22/13- Referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and People with Disabilities

SB 218: An Act to maintain short term objectives for students with disabilities.

Sponsor: Senator Cynthia Creem

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Education

HB 481: An Act expanding inclusive transition programs for students with severe disabilities.

Sponsor: Representative Tom Sannicandro

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Education

HB 1794 / SB 909: An Act to ensure full and equal access to services from the Department of Mental Health for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related conditions who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria for DMH services.

Sponsors: Representative Kay Khan and Senator Jennifer Flanagan

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

HB 78 / SB 908: An Act to permit the Department of Developmental Services to provide services to adults with developmental disabilities.  

Sponsors: Representative Garrett Bradley and Senator Jennifer Flanagan

HB 78: 01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and People with Disabilities

SB 908: 01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse

HB 151: An Act relative to Real Lives.

Sponsors: Representative Tom Sannicandro and Senator Katherine Clark

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and People with Disabilities

HB 1674: An Act to require National Criminal Background Checks.

Sponsors: Representative Martin Walsh and Senator John Hart

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Judiciary

HB 136: An Act to increase the Commonwealth’s compliance with federal law meeting requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Sponsor: Representative James O’Day

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and People with Disabilities

HB 499: An Act to equity and fairness for students with disabilities

Sponsor: Representative Theodore Speliotis

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Education

SB 233: An Act promoting equal opportunities for students with disabilities.

Sponsor: Senator James Eldridge

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Education

HB 149: An Act creating a means for tracking the unmet need of individuals with developmental disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Sponsor: Representative Tom Sannicandro

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and People with Disabilities

HB 1941: An Act supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Sponsor: Representative Carolyn Dykema

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health

SB 601: Resolve providing for an investigation and study by a special commission relative to the need for accessible homes for the elderly, returning veterans with disabilities, and families that include persons with disabilities.

Sponsor: Senator Patricia Jehlen

01/22/2013- Referred to the Joint Committee on Housing

 

The following are links to federal legislation and the U.S. Congress:
 

To find out who your elected officials are and your voting location in Massachusetts, click on the following link: http://wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php

You can help educate your Congressman and U.S. Senator about the importance of these bills to people with developmental disabilities.

If you wish further information on any of the above legislation, please send an email message to the Legislative Staff.

This information is provided by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.