Public Policy
The main objective of our public policy efforts is based on promoting policies that make sense for the public we serve and allows the integration between people with developmental disabilities, the people who support them and the community as a whole.
The GCDD’s resources, vision, values, goals and mission create the solid platform that continues to influence the direction of public policy at state and federal levels. This is a platform that fosters change in service provision, reflects the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, and promotes public awareness of those needs.
Legislative Agenda 2012
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Documents
An Overview of EPSDT for Parents (224KB PDF)
An Overview of EPSDT for Health Care Professional (208KB PDF)
Article: “Challenge of Transitioning from Institutions to the Community”
Challenges of Transitioning from Institutions to Community Living
Article: “Olmstead Plan”
Olmstead Plan One Pager
Olmstead Plan One Text Accessible
Managed Care Policy Paper
Managed Care Policy Paper
Managed Care Policy Paper Text Accessible
2011 COMP Waiver Renewal-Please make sure to download both PDF files for complete information. Files are large.
2011 COMP Waiver Renewal pgs 1 – 153
2011 COMP Waiver Renewal pgs 154 – 230
PowerPoint about The Affordable Care Act: Individuals with Disabilities, Individuals with Chronic Conditions and Individuals Who Are Aging
Pulling It All Together PowerPoint (converted to PDF)
Pulling It All Together PowerPoint (converted to text accessible)
Article: “Pathways to Coverage: How to Access Health Insurance in Georgia”
Pathways to Coverage
Pathways to Coverage Text Accessible
View our Moving Forward/Legislative Update archives
Department of Justice Settlement Agreement Information:
DOJ Signed Settlement Agreement (PDF)
DOJ Settlement Agreement Fact Sheet (PDF)
Tools for Legislative Advocacy:
Speak Up: A Guide To Self Advocacy PDF File (Thanks to the Arc of Washington State) (Text Accessible File)
Legislative Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions PDF File (Text Accessible File)
How A Bill is Passed in the Georgia Legislature PDF File (Text Accessible File)
Advocacy Demystified Tools and Strategies for Effective Consumer Health Advocacy PDF File
Want to learn more about the legislation from the Moving Forward Newsletter? Click the bill number for a direct link to get more information about the bill.
Legislation: HOUSE
HB 23: To require the DHS to establish regulations governing the use of psychotropic medications for foster children in state custody. Sponsor: M.Oliver, 83. Status: HHS; House Second Readers.
HB 132: Relating to insurance generally, so as to require certain insurance coverage for physician prescribed special dietary foods or formulas for specific chronic medical conditions. Sponsors: Watson, 163; Lindsey, 54; Benfield, 85. Status: Ins; House Second Readers.
HB 229: Relating to administrative hearings and appeals under Medicaid generally, to provide that the decision of the administrative law judge shall be the final administrative decision of the commissioner. Sponsors: Cooper, 41; Jacobs, 80; Channell, 116; Lindsey, 54; Oliver, 83. Status: Judy; Favorably Reported.
HB 387: To provide for comprehensive revision of the revenue structure of the State of GA. Sponsors: Channell, 116; O’Neal, 146; Jones, 46; Peake, 137. Status: Spec. Joint Comm; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 388: To provide for comprehensive revision of the revenue structure of the State of Ga. Sponsors: Channell, 116; O’Neal, 146; Jones, 46; Peake, 137. Status: Spec. Joint Comm; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 432: To allow employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members. Sponsors: Dempsey, 13; Manning, 32; Smith, 129; McKillip, 115; Sims, 119; Kaiser, 59. Status: IR; House Second Readers.
HB 471: Relating to arrest and detention of juveniles, so as to change provisions relating to when interim control of children is permitted. Sponsors: Willard, 49; Lindsey, 54; Oliver, 83; Jacobs, 80; Weldon, 3; Dobbs, 53. Status: Judy; House Second Readers.
HB 476: To establish the Georgia Health Exchange Authority. Sponsors: Smith, 131; Meadows, 5. Status: Ins; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 662: Relating to educational programs, so as to enact the “Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act. Sponsors: Manning, 32; Reece, 11. Status: Ed; House Second Readers.
HB 669: Relating to the organization of the executive branch, so as to require the reporting of federal funds received by certain state agencies. Sponsor: Clark, 98. Status: BFA; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 713: Relating to the “Quality Basic Education Act,” so as to delay implementation of some career and college readiness initiatives until the 2013-2014 school year; to require career education in grades k-12; to change the mandated assessment for postsecondary readiness to the end of 11th grade. Sponsors: Nix, 69; Coleman, 97; Davis, 109; Kaiser, 59; Carter, 175; Casas, 103. Status: ED&Y; Senate Read Second Time.
HB 741: To amend an Act providing appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012. Sponsors: Ralston, 7; Jones, 46; O’Neal, 146; England, 108. Status: App, Senate Read and Referred.
HB 742: To make and provide appropriations for State Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012, and ending June 30, 2013. Sponsors: Ralston, 7; Jones, 46; O’Neal, 146; England, 108. Status: App, House Second Readers.
HB 745: To require the Department of Public Health to study whether pulse oximetry screening should be a standard test for newborns for detection of congenital heart defects. Sponsors: Welch, 110; Ramsey, 72; Cooper, 41; Manning, 32; Watson, 163. Status: H&HS, House Committee Favorably Reported.
HB 787: To provide that any changes by the DBHDD to allocation rates or formulas for providers must have legislative ratification; that provider contracts include certain requirements. Sponsors: Setzler, 35; Dempsey, 13; Houston 170. Status: App; House Second Readers.
HB 801: Relating to insurance, to establish the GA Health Insurance Marketplace Authority. Sponsors: Gardner, 57; Beverly, 139; Dobbs, 53; Smyre, 132 Buckner, 130. Status: Ins; House Second Readers.
HB 831: To transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services, including the disability adjudication section and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute from DOL to DHS. Sponsors: McCall,30; Collins, 27; Hatchett, 143; Carter, 175. Status: HR&Ag; House Committee Favorably Reported.
HB 966: To allow DHS to examine income tax records held by the Dept of Revenue; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Sponsor: Knight, 126. Status: JudyNC; House Second Readers.
HB 1110: To revise provisions relating to penalties relative to the owning or operating of unlicensed personal care homes; to authorize the DCH to provide for additional criminal offenses for background checks for owners and employees of personal care homes. Sponsors: Cooper, 41; Benton, 31; Yates,73; Howard, 121; Lindsey, 54. Status: HHS; House First Readers.
HR 1162: To clarify the authority of the state to establish state-wide education policy; to restate the authority of the General Assembly to establish special schools. Sponsors: Jones, 46; Coleman, 97; Lindsey, 54; Kaiser, 59; Morgan, 39; Hatchett, 143. Status: Ed; Reconsidered.
HR 1176: To create the House Department of BHDD Oversight Committee. Sponsors: Kidd, 141; Harden, 147; Houston, 170; Dempsey, 13. Status: H&HS; House Second Readers.
HR 1335: To authorize the creation of state charter schools; to authorize the State Board of Education to overturn a decision by a local board of education regarding the approval or denial of a local charter school. Sponsors: Holcomb, 82; Frazier,123; Ashe,56; Hugley, 133; Parent, 81. Status: Ed; House Second Readers.
HR 1350: To create special transportation districts for taxation purposes for the funding of regional transportation projects. Sponsors: Setzler, 35; Golick, 34; Ramsey, 72. Status: Trans; House Second Readers.
Legislation: SENATE
SB 198: Relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to provide definitions; to cover all disabilities in providing assistance in voting. Sponsors: Goggans, 7; Grant, 25; Unterman, 45. Status: Ethics; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 245: Relating to definitions relative to governing and regulation of mental health, so as to revise the definition of “developmental disability.” Sponsor: Goggans, 7. Status: HHS; House Second Readers.
SB 292: To enact the “Social Responsibility and Accountability Act”; to provide that the DHS shall create an established drug test to be administered to each applicant for TANF or Medicaid benefits. Sponsors: Albers, 56; Rogers, 21; Gooch, 51; Shafer, 48; Carter, 1; Ligon, 3. House Companion HB 668. Sponsors: Spencer, 180; Willard, 49; Braddock, 19; Houston, 170. House Companion HB 698 & HB 699. Sponsors: Stephens, 164; McKillip, 115.
SB 308: Relating to technical and adult education, to permit proprietary institutions of higher education to participate in establishing college and career academies. Sponsors: Grant, 25; Millar, 40; Henson, 41; Jones, 10; Carter, 42; Balfour, 9. Status: H.Ed; Senate Read & Referred.
SB 312: Relating to public assistance, so as to require applicants for food stamps and TANF to engage in personal growth activities; to provide for applicability. Sponsors: Lignon, 3; Albers, 56; Carter, 1; Williams, 19. Status: H&HS; Senate Read & Referred.
SB 330: Relating to individual health insurance coverage, policy shall provide coverage for treatment of dependent children with cancer and provide coverage for autism. Sponsors: Fort, 39; Henson, 41; Stoner, 6; Orrock, 36. Status: I&L; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 373: Relating to certificates of public necessity and convenience and medallions for vehicles for hire, so as to provide for authority to operate vehicles for hire equipped to transport passengers in wheelchairs throughout the state. Sponsors: Mullis, 53; Jackson, 24; Unterman, 45; Hill, 32; Stoner, 6. Status: Trans; Senate Read & Referred.
SB 410: Relating to an accountability assessment for K-12 education, so as to provide for annual indicators of the quality of learning by students, financial efficiency, and school climate for individual schools and for school systems. Sponsors: Williams ,19; Mullis, 53; Rogers, 21; Jeffares, 17; Heath, 31. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 418: Establish the Georgia Health Insurance Marketplace Authority. Sponsors: Orrock,36; Henson, 41; Tate, 38; Fort, 39; Davis, 22. Status: I&L; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 439: To authorize qualified nonprofit preschool programs which serve disabled children to participate in student scholarship programs. Sponsors: Miller, 49; Jackson, 24; Wilkinson, 50; Gooch, 51; James, 35. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 443: To provide that a defendant must be found to be mentally retarded by a preponderance of the evidence to be found guilty but mentally retarded. Sponsors: Fort, 39; Orrock, 36; Jones, 10; Davenport, 44; Butler, 55. Status: Judy; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 455: Relating to unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions unlawful, so as to authorize licensed personal care homes and community living arrangements to use certain terms. Sponsors: Goggans, 7; Hill, 4; Williams, 19; Golden, 8; Orrock, 36. Status: HHS; Senate Read and Referred.
SR 646: To ensure the necessary conditions for expanded high-quality digital learning opportunities for the students of this state. Sponsor: Rogers, 21. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Read Second Time.
SR 819: Creating the Senate Alternative Sustainable Transportation Study Committee. Sponsors: Davis, 22; Thompson, 33; Mullis, 53; Staton, 18; Stone, 23. Status: Trans; Senate Read and Referred.
SR 979: Creating Senate Aging Study Committee. Sponsor: Unterman, 45. Status: Senate Hopper.
Public Policy
The main objective of our public policy efforts is based on promoting policies that make sense for the public we serve and allows the integration between people with developmental disabilities, the people who support them and the community as a whole.
The GCDD’s resources, vision, values, goals and mission create the solid platform that continues to influence the direction of public policy at state and federal levels. This is a platform that fosters change in service provision, reflects the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, and promotes public awareness of those needs.
Legislative Agenda 2012
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) Documents
An Overview of EPSDT for Parents (224KB PDF)
An Overview of EPSDT for Health Care Professional (208KB PDF)
Article: “Challenge of Transitioning from Institutions to the Community”
Challenges of Transitioning from Institutions to Community Living
Article: “Olmstead Plan”
Olmstead Plan One Pager
Olmstead Plan One Text Accessible
Managed Care Policy Paper
Managed Care Policy Paper
Managed Care Policy Paper Text Accessible
2011 COMP Waiver Renewal-Please make sure to download both PDF files for complete information. Files are large.
2011 COMP Waiver Renewal pgs 1 – 153
2011 COMP Waiver Renewal pgs 154 – 230
PowerPoint about The Affordable Care Act: Individuals with Disabilities, Individuals with Chronic Conditions and Individuals Who Are Aging
Pulling It All Together PowerPoint (converted to PDF)
Pulling It All Together PowerPoint (converted to text accessible)
Article: “Pathways to Coverage: How to Access Health Insurance in Georgia”
Pathways to Coverage
Pathways to Coverage Text Accessible
View our Moving Forward/Legislative Update archives
Department of Justice Settlement Agreement Information:
DOJ Signed Settlement Agreement (PDF)
DOJ Settlement Agreement Fact Sheet (PDF)
Tools for Legislative Advocacy:
Speak Up: A Guide To Self Advocacy PDF File (Thanks to the Arc of Washington State) (Text Accessible File)
Legislative Advocacy Frequently Asked Questions PDF File (Text Accessible File)
How A Bill is Passed in the Georgia Legislature PDF File (Text Accessible File)
Advocacy Demystified Tools and Strategies for Effective Consumer Health Advocacy PDF File
Want to learn more about the legislation from the Moving Forward Newsletter? Click the bill number for a direct link to get more information about the bill.
Legislation: HOUSE
HB 23: To require the DHS to establish regulations governing the use of psychotropic medications for foster children in state custody. Sponsor: M.Oliver, 83. Status: HHS; House Second Readers.
HB 132: Relating to insurance generally, so as to require certain insurance coverage for physician prescribed special dietary foods or formulas for specific chronic medical conditions. Sponsors: Watson, 163; Lindsey, 54; Benfield, 85. Status: Ins; House Second Readers.
HB 229: Relating to administrative hearings and appeals under Medicaid generally, to provide that the decision of the administrative law judge shall be the final administrative decision of the commissioner. Sponsors: Cooper, 41; Jacobs, 80; Channell, 116; Lindsey, 54; Oliver, 83. Status: Judy; Favorably Reported.
HB 387: To provide for comprehensive revision of the revenue structure of the State of GA. Sponsors: Channell, 116; O’Neal, 146; Jones, 46; Peake, 137. Status: Spec. Joint Comm; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 388: To provide for comprehensive revision of the revenue structure of the State of Ga. Sponsors: Channell, 116; O’Neal, 146; Jones, 46; Peake, 137. Status: Spec. Joint Comm; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 432: To allow employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members. Sponsors: Dempsey, 13; Manning, 32; Smith, 129; McKillip, 115; Sims, 119; Kaiser, 59. Status: IR; House Second Readers.
HB 471: Relating to arrest and detention of juveniles, so as to change provisions relating to when interim control of children is permitted. Sponsors: Willard, 49; Lindsey, 54; Oliver, 83; Jacobs, 80; Weldon, 3; Dobbs, 53. Status: Judy; House Second Readers.
HB 476: To establish the Georgia Health Exchange Authority. Sponsors: Smith, 131; Meadows, 5. Status: Ins; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 662: Relating to educational programs, so as to enact the “Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act. Sponsors: Manning, 32; Reece, 11. Status: Ed; House Second Readers.
HB 669: Relating to the organization of the executive branch, so as to require the reporting of federal funds received by certain state agencies. Sponsor: Clark, 98. Status: BFA; House Withdrawn, Recommitted.
HB 713: Relating to the “Quality Basic Education Act,” so as to delay implementation of some career and college readiness initiatives until the 2013-2014 school year; to require career education in grades k-12; to change the mandated assessment for postsecondary readiness to the end of 11th grade. Sponsors: Nix, 69; Coleman, 97; Davis, 109; Kaiser, 59; Carter, 175; Casas, 103. Status: ED&Y; Senate Read Second Time.
HB 741: To amend an Act providing appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012. Sponsors: Ralston, 7; Jones, 46; O’Neal, 146; England, 108. Status: App, Senate Read and Referred.
HB 742: To make and provide appropriations for State Fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012, and ending June 30, 2013. Sponsors: Ralston, 7; Jones, 46; O’Neal, 146; England, 108. Status: App, House Second Readers.
HB 745: To require the Department of Public Health to study whether pulse oximetry screening should be a standard test for newborns for detection of congenital heart defects. Sponsors: Welch, 110; Ramsey, 72; Cooper, 41; Manning, 32; Watson, 163. Status: H&HS, House Committee Favorably Reported.
HB 787: To provide that any changes by the DBHDD to allocation rates or formulas for providers must have legislative ratification; that provider contracts include certain requirements. Sponsors: Setzler, 35; Dempsey, 13; Houston 170. Status: App; House Second Readers.
HB 801: Relating to insurance, to establish the GA Health Insurance Marketplace Authority. Sponsors: Gardner, 57; Beverly, 139; Dobbs, 53; Smyre, 132 Buckner, 130. Status: Ins; House Second Readers.
HB 831: To transfer the Division of Rehabilitation Services, including the disability adjudication section and the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute from DOL to DHS. Sponsors: McCall,30; Collins, 27; Hatchett, 143; Carter, 175. Status: HR&Ag; House Committee Favorably Reported.
HB 966: To allow DHS to examine income tax records held by the Dept of Revenue; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes. Sponsor: Knight, 126. Status: JudyNC; House Second Readers.
HB 1110: To revise provisions relating to penalties relative to the owning or operating of unlicensed personal care homes; to authorize the DCH to provide for additional criminal offenses for background checks for owners and employees of personal care homes. Sponsors: Cooper, 41; Benton, 31; Yates,73; Howard, 121; Lindsey, 54. Status: HHS; House First Readers.
HR 1162: To clarify the authority of the state to establish state-wide education policy; to restate the authority of the General Assembly to establish special schools. Sponsors: Jones, 46; Coleman, 97; Lindsey, 54; Kaiser, 59; Morgan, 39; Hatchett, 143. Status: Ed; Reconsidered.
HR 1176: To create the House Department of BHDD Oversight Committee. Sponsors: Kidd, 141; Harden, 147; Houston, 170; Dempsey, 13. Status: H&HS; House Second Readers.
HR 1335: To authorize the creation of state charter schools; to authorize the State Board of Education to overturn a decision by a local board of education regarding the approval or denial of a local charter school. Sponsors: Holcomb, 82; Frazier,123; Ashe,56; Hugley, 133; Parent, 81. Status: Ed; House Second Readers.
HR 1350: To create special transportation districts for taxation purposes for the funding of regional transportation projects. Sponsors: Setzler, 35; Golick, 34; Ramsey, 72. Status: Trans; House Second Readers.
Legislation: SENATE
SB 198: Relating to primaries and elections generally, so as to provide definitions; to cover all disabilities in providing assistance in voting. Sponsors: Goggans, 7; Grant, 25; Unterman, 45. Status: Ethics; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 245: Relating to definitions relative to governing and regulation of mental health, so as to revise the definition of “developmental disability.” Sponsor: Goggans, 7. Status: HHS; House Second Readers.
SB 292: To enact the “Social Responsibility and Accountability Act”; to provide that the DHS shall create an established drug test to be administered to each applicant for TANF or Medicaid benefits. Sponsors: Albers, 56; Rogers, 21; Gooch, 51; Shafer, 48; Carter, 1; Ligon, 3. House Companion HB 668. Sponsors: Spencer, 180; Willard, 49; Braddock, 19; Houston, 170. House Companion HB 698 & HB 699. Sponsors: Stephens, 164; McKillip, 115.
SB 308: Relating to technical and adult education, to permit proprietary institutions of higher education to participate in establishing college and career academies. Sponsors: Grant, 25; Millar, 40; Henson, 41; Jones, 10; Carter, 42; Balfour, 9. Status: H.Ed; Senate Read & Referred.
SB 312: Relating to public assistance, so as to require applicants for food stamps and TANF to engage in personal growth activities; to provide for applicability. Sponsors: Lignon, 3; Albers, 56; Carter, 1; Williams, 19. Status: H&HS; Senate Read & Referred.
SB 330: Relating to individual health insurance coverage, policy shall provide coverage for treatment of dependent children with cancer and provide coverage for autism. Sponsors: Fort, 39; Henson, 41; Stoner, 6; Orrock, 36. Status: I&L; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 373: Relating to certificates of public necessity and convenience and medallions for vehicles for hire, so as to provide for authority to operate vehicles for hire equipped to transport passengers in wheelchairs throughout the state. Sponsors: Mullis, 53; Jackson, 24; Unterman, 45; Hill, 32; Stoner, 6. Status: Trans; Senate Read & Referred.
SB 410: Relating to an accountability assessment for K-12 education, so as to provide for annual indicators of the quality of learning by students, financial efficiency, and school climate for individual schools and for school systems. Sponsors: Williams ,19; Mullis, 53; Rogers, 21; Jeffares, 17; Heath, 31. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 418: Establish the Georgia Health Insurance Marketplace Authority. Sponsors: Orrock,36; Henson, 41; Tate, 38; Fort, 39; Davis, 22. Status: I&L; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 439: To authorize qualified nonprofit preschool programs which serve disabled children to participate in student scholarship programs. Sponsors: Miller, 49; Jackson, 24; Wilkinson, 50; Gooch, 51; James, 35. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 443: To provide that a defendant must be found to be mentally retarded by a preponderance of the evidence to be found guilty but mentally retarded. Sponsors: Fort, 39; Orrock, 36; Jones, 10; Davenport, 44; Butler, 55. Status: Judy; Senate Read and Referred.
SB 455: Relating to unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions unlawful, so as to authorize licensed personal care homes and community living arrangements to use certain terms. Sponsors: Goggans, 7; Hill, 4; Williams, 19; Golden, 8; Orrock, 36. Status: HHS; Senate Read and Referred.
SR 646: To ensure the necessary conditions for expanded high-quality digital learning opportunities for the students of this state. Sponsor: Rogers, 21. Status: Ed&Y; Senate Read Second Time.
SR 819: Creating the Senate Alternative Sustainable Transportation Study Committee. Sponsors: Davis, 22; Thompson, 33; Mullis, 53; Staton, 18; Stone, 23. Status: Trans; Senate Read and Referred.
SR 979: Creating Senate Aging Study Committee. Sponsor: Unterman, 45. Status: Senate Hopper.
