DDS Notice of Public Hearing and Opportunity for Public Comment

DDS must hold public hearings and accept public comments pertaining to any proposed changes to its regulations. 

Pursuant to the authority of M.G.L. chapters 19B, §§ I and 14 and 123B, § 2 and in accordance with G.L. c. 30A, the Department will hold public hearings and accept public comments pertaining to any proposed amendments to its regulations. 

Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services

Pursuant to the authority of G.L. c. 19B, §§ 1 and 14, and G. L. c. 123B, § 2 and in accordance with G.L. c. 30A, the Department of Developmental Services (“DDS”) will hold public hearings and accept public comments pertaining to its proposed regulations at: 115 CMR 14.00: Self-Determination and Self-Directed Services.

115 CMR 14.00 implements G.L. c.19B, §19 - Self-determination option for individuals eligible for services (“Real Lives Bill,” Chapter 255 of the Acts of 2014).  “Self-determination” is the statutory term that encompasses “an approach to service delivery in which the participant is given control over the decision-making process for the participant's supports or services and budget and the participant may tailor the support to meet the participant's needs.” G.L. c. 19B, § 19(a). Proposed 115 CMR 14.00 implements DDS’ self-directed services, which offer eligible individuals an alternative to traditional services operated, certified, licensed, or contracted for or otherwise funded by the Department. Self-directed services promote independence in service planning while providing equitable access to the Department’s resources.

A public hearing will be held remotely via Zoom on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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Meeting ID: 977 0698 3976

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Meeting ID: 977 0698 3976

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You may pre-register to testify at this hearing by email at [e-mail] with your first and last name, preferred email address, and organization or affiliation, if any. Pre-registration is not required to attend or testify at the hearing.                                

You may also submit written comments electronically instead of, or in addition to, live testimony at the hearing, to the Department at the following address: [e-mail].  Submissions should include the sender’s full name, mailing address, and organization or affiliation, if any.  Individuals also may submit written testimony to the Office of the General Counsel, 1000 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118.  All written comments submitted to the Department may be posted on the Department’s website and released in response to a request for public records.  All written testimony must be received by 5:00 p.m. on June 18, 2024. Please note that all comments received in response are considered part of the public record.

A current draft of the proposed regulations may be viewed on the Department’s website at: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dds-notice-of-public-hearing-and-opportunity-for-public-commentor obtained from the Office of the General Counsel at [phone]. Special accommodation requests may be made by telephone to the Office of the General Counsel at [phone] or videophone at [phone] (for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled).  Requests for a sign language or other interpreter must be made at least two weeks in advance of the hearing.

The Department may adopt a revised version of the proposed regulations taking into account relevant comments and other practical alternatives that come to its attention.

By Order of the Department of Developmental Services,

JANE F. RYDER, COMMISSIONER  

May 23, 2024