Legislative Update: ARRM’s Bills get Introduced and Hearings
This last week saw the majority of ARRM’s legislative priorities receive their official bill numbers, this is great news and is a critical step in ensuring that our agenda keeps progressing through the legislative session. Below is the complete list of bill numbers:
- Best Life Alliance DWRS Legislation: HF 999/SF 1015
- ICF/DD Rate Legislation: HF 568/ SF 756
- Alternative Overnight Supervision with Technology (AOST) Licensing Changes: HF 339/SF 758
- Integrated Community Supports (ICS) Changes: HF XXX/SF 1009
- Own Home/IHST Changes: HF 716/SF 654
- Workforce Grant and Public Awareness Campaign Appropriation: HF 813/SF 993
- School Credits for Juniors and Seniors: HF 613/ SF XXX
We also have seen the House start to take action on our priorities. On Wednesday, the House Education Policy committee heard HF 613 which would allow Juniors and Seniors to earn up to two elective credits in each school year towards their graduation if they worked in one of the caring professions. Linda Driessen from Bear Creek Services testified on behalf of the legislation along with the bill author, Rep. Jess Hanson (55A), and many committee members stated their support. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the Education Policy Omnibus Bill.
On Thursday, the House Human Service Finance Committee heard the Best Life Alliance, DWRS legislation as well as our ICF/DD Rate legislation. Tom Gillespe and Rod Carlson of Living Well Disability Services testified in support of the ICF/DD legislation with bill author, Rep. Mike Freiberg (43B). Stacy Roe from Mains’l Services, along with two parent advocates spoke in support of the Best Life Alliance bill along with bill author Rep. Jess Hanson (55A). Both bills saw support from committee members and were laid over for possible inclusion in the Human Service Omnibus bill. You can view the full hearing here.
On Monday, February 6th, the Human Service Policy committee will hear three of ARRM’s legislative priorities including:
- AOST Licensing Changes (HF 339)
- Own Home/IHST Changes (HF 716)
- Workforce Grant and Public Awareness Campaign Appropriation (HF 813)
We anticipate all three bills to referred to the Human Service Finance committee where they will have another hearing.
Please reach out with any questions.
--Sara Grafstrom, Director of State and Federal Policy, ARRM