In observance of Martin Luther King Remembrance Day, the General Assembly was in recess. Committee hearings continued on the FY14’ budget this week.
In this issue, we will focus on the Governor's proposed budget for the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, DBHDD, and the proposed budget relating to the Department of Justice settlement agreement. Please see details below. If you'd like to follow the FY 2014 Amended Budget and the FY 2015 Budget through the General Assembly, the budget bills are filed as HB 743 through HB 748. You can view the budget yourself at http://opb.georgia.gov
Get involved: (1) If you are not already a member of the GCDD advocacy network, we invite you to join and receive information as we work together to create a better place for Georgians with disabilities. Go to www.gcdd.org and click on Join our Advocacy Network and follow the instructions. (2) Register for the February 20th Disability Day at: http://bit.ly/1eT5C5s (3) Join our weekly legislative update calls on Monday morning at 9:15 AM. Dial 1-888-355-1249 and enter passcode 232357 at the prompt.
Today, February 7 marks the 19th legislative day of the session. On Monday of this week, the House Human Relations and Aging Committee met and voted on HB 290, the Family Care Act. This bill passed out of committee by a 6-2 vote. Be sure to contact your House member to let them know how you want them to vote on HB 290.
In this issue, we will focus on the Governor's proposed budget for the Department of Education. Please see details below. You can view the budget yourself at http://opb.georgia.gov. On Wednesday, February 5, HB 743, the Amended FY2014 budget, was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee and then was read the second time in the Senate on Thursday, February 6. The FY 2015 budget hearings began this week. We anticipate that the FY 2015 budget will go to the full House for a vote toward the end of next week.
Get involved: (1) If you are not already a member of the GCDD advocacy network, we invite you to join and receive information as we work together to create a better place for Georgians with disabilities. Go to www.gcdd.org and click on Join our Advocacy Network and follow the instructions. (2) Register for the February 20th Disability Day at the Capitol: http://bit.ly/1eT5C5s (3) Join our weekly legislative update calls on Monday morning at 9:15 AM. Dial 1-888-355-1249 and enter passcode 232357 at the prompt.
Welcome to a special Disability Day Edition of Moving Forward. More than 2,500 advocates, family members, and allies gathered at the Capitol steps on a beautiful, warm day to hear speakers Governor Nathan Deal, Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, CEO & President of RespectAbilityUSA, and Greg Schmieg, the Executive Director of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) . This issue highlights Governor Deal's remarks and his Proclamation of Disability Awareness Day.
In other news at the Gold Dome: SB 397, a bill for autism insurance coverage, sponsored by Senator Tim Golden, was dropped in the Senate Hopper on February 19, passed by the Senate on February 25, and read in the House on February 26. This bill puts a cap on coverage at $35,000 per year and limits coverage to children age 6 and under. Also, HB 700, sponsored by Rep. Keisha Waites, which seeks to in-crease accessibility for those with visual disabilities at the Capitol and CLOB, passed out of the House committee on February 24.
The House and Senate resolved any differences in the FY2014 Amended Budget and it was signed by the Governor on February 26. The FY 2015 budget is still being worked on in the Senate subcommittees.
Get involved: (1) If you are not already a member of the GCDD advocacy network, we invite you to join and receive information as we work together to create a better place for Georgians with disabilities. Go to www.gcdd.org and click on Join our Advocacy Network and follow the instructions. (2) Join our weekly legislative update calls on Monday morning at 9:15 AM. Dial 1-888-355-1249 and enter passcode 232357 at the prompt. (3) Go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com to get the latest Unlock updates
WRAP-UP EDITION: The 2014 General Assembly finished the session on March 20. Several important bills were passed this session, as well as the budgets for FY2014A and FY2015.
FY 2015 Budget highlights: Funds for 50 supported employment slots for people with developmental disabilities were added within the DBHDD budget to the tune of $390,625. Additionally, $100,000 in NEW funding was added for inclusive post-secondary education within the GCDD budget. The Department of Justice related funding for DD services is supported in full. The ICWP received 25 additional slots, CCSP received 100 additional slots, and NOW/COMP received 250 additional slots (100 community + 150 institution- al). DD providers received a 1.5% increase and CCSP and SOURCE received a 5% increase for certain services (details below).
Legislation Highlights: PASSED: HB870, provides for the imposition of an additional fine for reckless driving relating to the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund; HB 990, requires an act of the Legislature before Medicaid could be expanded via the Affordable Care Act. DID NOT PASS: SB397, which would have required insurance companies to provide coverage for autism; HB290, which would have allowed employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members.
Remember: If you are not already a member of the GCDD advocacy network, go to www.gcdd.org and click on Join our Advocacy Network and follow the instructions so you can stay connected throughout the year.
