By Mr. Sannicandro of Ashland, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1898) of Tom Sannicandro and others relative to establishing self determination for persons with disabilities.  Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

 

Tom Sannicandro

John W. Scibak

David B. Sullivan

Frank I. Smizik

Robert L. Rice, Jr.

Matthew C. Patrick

David Paul Linsky

Barbara A. L'Italien

William Lantigua

Benjamin Swan

John P. Fresolo

Gloria L. Fox

Christine E. Canavan

William N. Brownsberger

 

 

 

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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 An Act To establish self determination for persons with disabilities .

 

    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. Chapter 19B of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 18 the following section:

 

Section 19:--  

(A) The department shall develop recommendations for the implementation of a self-determination model of funding services and supports that provides the ability for an individual receiving services and supports to personally control, with appropriate assistance, a targeted amount of dollars; the model shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. The ability to establish an individual rate or budget for each person;

2. Mechanisms to ensure that each participant has the support and assistance necessary to design and implement a package of services and supports unique to the individual;

3. The ability to arrange services, supports, and resources unique to each person based upon the preferences of the recipient; and

4. The design of a system of accountability for the use of public funds.

(B) The commissioner shall appoint an ad-hoc committee composed of commission members and other interested parties to develop the recommendations required by this paragraph; and

 

(C) Advise the Governor and the General Court on whether the recommendations should be implemented by administrative regulations or proposed legislation