While this week did not see any of ARRM’s legislative priorities get scheduled for committee hearings, there were some notable bills introduced in the Senate that ARRM is closely monitoring.
These bills, being chief authored by Senator Jim Abeler (35) and co-authored by Senator John Hoffman (36) signal the direction that Senator Abeler, chair of the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy committee envisions services for people with disabilities going, towards more independent living outside of a traditional four person group home.
Legislation includes:
SF 3782: Creates policy statements in statute for the following categories:
-
Employment First: Supports the presumption that all working-age Minnesotans with disabilities can work, want to work and can achieve competitive integrated employment.
-
Independent Living First: Supports the presumption that all adult Minnesotans with disabilities can and want to live independently with proper serves and supports.
-
Self-directed options First: Supports the presumption that all adult Minnesotans with disabilities and all families of children with disabilities can and want to use self-directed services and supports, including self-directed funding options.
SF 3923: Creates a new requirement within 245D that at least once per year, providers, in coordination with the person’s support team must discuss option for transitioning from residential supports and services. This legislation also requires that the CSSP addendum include a summary of the discussion and a statement about any decision made.
SF 3987: Allocates $1 million in grant funding toward the development of permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities and the elderly.
In addition to these bills that were introduced in the Senate. The Department of Human Services policy bill (HF 3390) also contains new requirements for the 45 Day planning meetings that include:
-
Discuss opportunities to develop and maintain essential and life-enriching skills, abilities, strengths, interests and preferences
-
Discuss opportunities for community access, participation, and inclusion in preferred community activities
-
Discuss opportunities to develop and strengthen personal relationships with preferred people in the community
-
Discuss opportunities to seek competitive employment and work at competitively paying jobs in the community
ARRM will continue to monitor these key pieces of legislation as well as other legislation as it is introduced and ensure that our legislative priorities remain part of the global conversation around disabilities services.
Looking ahead to next week, we are excited for a record setting attendance day at Day at the Capitol- I am looking forward to seeing you all on March 10th!
Please reach out with any questions.
--Sara Grafstrom, Director of State and Federal Policy