Substituted by the House, on motion of Mr. Sannicandro of Ashland, for a Bill to establish self determination for persons with disabilities (House, No. 1898).  February 6, 2008.    

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

——————

In the Year Two Thousand and Eight.

——————

An Act ESTABLISHING 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:

The commissioner of mental retardation shall study and make recommendations for the implementation of a self-determination model for funding services and supports for clients of the department of mental retardation.  The model shall allow clients, who choose to participate, to design, implement and control, with appropriate assistance, a unique service and support plan, using an individual budget provided by the department.  The model shall allow for the provision of the following:—

            (a) an individual budget for each participant’s service and support plan;

            (b) appropriate assistance for each participant to design, implement and control a unique service and support plan;

            (c) the arrangement of unique services and supports preferred by the participant; and

            (d) a system of accountability for the use of these public funds.

            The commissioner shall appoint an advisory committee to assist with the study and its recommendations.

            The commissioner shall publish a report on the implementation of the self-determination model, including administrative and statutory recommendations.  The report shall be submitted to the governor and the general court, by filing it with the clerk of the house and the clerk of the senate, on or before June 30, 2008.