House and Senate News: House Leadership — Speaker of the House: David Ralston, 7th; Speaker Pro Tempore: Jan Jones, 46th. Majority Leader: Larry O’Neal, 146th; Minority Leader: Stacey Abrams, 84th. Senate Leadership—Presiding: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; President Pro Tempore: David Shafer, 48th. Majority Leader: Ronnie Chance, 16th; Minority Leader: Steve Henson, 41st. Contact information for the Governor—The Honorable Nathan Deal, 203 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334; 404-656-1776, http://gov.state.ga.us Visit www.vote-smart.org to identify your legislators. Find your legislators’ contact information at www.legis.state.ga.us House Information, 1-800-282-5800; Senate Information 1-800-282-5803. Budget Information: The 2013 Session tackles the 2013 supplemental budget, re- ferred to here as FY 2013A, (ending June 30, 2013) and the 2014 FY budget (beginning July 1, 2013). This week’s issue compares the governor’s recommended FY 2014 budget with the FY 2014 budget approved this week by the House. For de- tails on the FY 2013A budget, please see last week’s issue. Department of Behavioral Health and Developmen- tal Disabilities; FY 2014 To see details on how the budget breaks down for each program in House and Senate News: House Leadership — Speaker of the House: David Ralston, 7th; Speaker Pro Tempore: Jan Jones, 46th. Majority Leader: Larry O’Neal, 146th; Minority Leader: Stacey Abrams, 84th. Senate Leadership—Presiding: Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; President Pro Tempore: David Shafer, 48th. Majority Leader: Ronnie Chance, 16th; Minority Leader: Steve Henson, 41st. Contact information for the Governor—The Honorable Nathan Deal, 203 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia, 30334; 404-656-1776, http://gov.state.ga.us Visit www.vote-smart.org to identify your legislators. Find your legislators’ contact information at www.legis.state.ga.us House Information, 1-800-282-5800; Senate Information 1-800-282-5803. Budget Information: The 2013 Session tackles the 2013 supplemental budget, re- ferred to here as FY 2013A, (ending June 30, 2013) and the 2014 FY budget (beginning July 1, 2013). This week’s issue compares the governor’s recommended FY 2014 budget with the FY 2014 budget approved this week by the House. For de- tails on the FY 2013A budget, please see last week’s issue. Department of Behavioral Health and Developmen- tal Disabilities; FY 2014 To see details on how the budget breaks down for each program in DBHDD, please see the full budget documents available at http:// opb.georgia.gov and http://www.house.ga.gov/budget . This year, DBHDD took a 3 percent cut with all the other state agencies. The House added $250,000 in state funds into the budget for the Marcus Autism Center, with total funds added of $500,000. The House also added language to the budget requiring DBHDD to provide a re- port by January 2014 with a plan to equalize grant-in-aid funding for core behavioral health services across the state. Department budget summary FY13 current FY14 Governor FY 14 House State General Funds: $927,970,753 $946,180,353 $945,873,179 TOTAL STATE FUNDS: $938,225,891 $956,435,491 $956,128,317 TANF Block Grant: $11,568,720 $11,568,720 $31,812,512 TOTAL FEDERAL FUNDS: $143,796,869 $144,355,412 $145,162,586 TOTAL FUNDS: $1,132,419,448 $1,160,597,143 $1,161,097,143 DOJ Settlement-Related Spending — FY14 The House FY 2014 budget did not make any changes to the items related to the DOJ settlement. DBHDD is in the third year of the Set- tlement Agreement with the Department of Justice. The agreement lays out five years of deliverables to better serve people with mental illness and developmental disabilities currently living in state institu- tions or at risk of institutionalization. FY13 current FY14 Governor FY 14 House Family Supports to 500 more families: $4,648,400 $6,520,400 $6,520,400 NOW/COMP Waivers to 250 more individuals: $19,846,352 $31,812,512 $31,812,512 Crisis Respite Homes (12) & Mobile Crisis Teams (6): $11,917,681 $11,917,681 $11,917,681 Education of Judges and Law Enforcement: $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 Waiver Audits: $200,000 $200,000 $200,000 DD Total spending: $36,862,433 $50,700,593 $50,700,593 Department of Community Health; FY 2014 The House made several changes to the governor’s proposed FY 2014 budget. The House decided not to reduce provider reimbursements by 0.74%. The House also added 28 additional Independent Care Waiver Program slots. The House also decided to keep the Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid program separate from the Low-Income Medicaid Program. The House budget increases the budgetary flexibility allowed between the two programs, from 2% to 10%. Finally, the House budget adds language regarding consumer choice in the elderly and disabled waiver; eligible beneficiaries can choose from SOURCE care management companies and the Community Care Services Program available in each county. Both the House budget and governor’s budget propose to save $7.2 million in state general funds by better enforcing analyses of the level of care required to qualify for long-term care and home and commu- nity-based services. Both the House and the governor agreed to budget language authorizing DCH to submit a federal application for an 1115 Medicaid waiver; this waiver will be used to create the new managed care system for children in foster care. Department of Human Services; FY 2014 The House made some significant changes in the DHS budget regard- ing services for seniors. The governor proposed eliminating 17 adult protective service worker positions, a savings of $528,871; and reduc- ing contract respite services by $484,559. However, the House budget completely eliminated both these proposed cuts. Department of Education; FY 2013A Both the governor and the House propose to transfer $6.3 million in funds from the Georgia Learning Resource Center into federal pro- grams. The governor had proposed to end the $2.6 million Sparsity Grant program; the House retained those funds for the program but directed the Department of Education to study and evaluate the need for it. The House also changed how it allocates special education funding for students served in Residential Treatment Facilities, adding $291,361 for those services. Other items of note: Increase funds based on enrollment growth & training Governor: $147,352,939 House: $146,583,599 Increase funds for Special Needs Scholarships to meet projected need Governor: $778,118 House: $52,247 Adjust funds for the Georgia Preschool Handicapped program based on increased enrollment Governor and House: $763,969 Reduce funds for Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS) due to declining enrollment Governor and House: ($2,009,258) CALENDAR The calendar has been set for the final days of the legislative session! Wednesday, March 20 - Friday, March 22....Days 35-37 Monday, March 25 - Tuesday, March 26...Days 38-39 Thursday, March 28....Day 40 The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities collaborates with Georgia citizens, public and private advocacy organizations, and policymakers to positively influence public policies that enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Brought to you by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities Moving Forward The Developmental Disabilities Advocates’ Guide to Legislation March 15, 2013 Volume 18—Issue 10 The focus is on FY 2014! Earlier this week, the House approved their version of the FY 2014 budget and the Senate is currently at work on FY 2014. The House added 28 Independent Care Waiver Program slots, eliminated the proposed 0.74% cut for home and community-based providers, and eliminated the proposed cuts to adult protective service worker positions and respite. Please be sure to thank your Representative for supporting these vital pieces of the Unlock the Waiting Lists ask, and ask your Senator for their support as well! For more information, go to www.unlockthewaitinglists.com. Once the Senate passes their version of the FY 2014 budget, any differences will be worked out in conference committee to create the finalized FY 2014. Stay tuned. Moving Forward e-Updates available at www.gcdd.org/public-policy Moving Forward e-Updates available at www.gcdd.org/public-policy 2 Peachtree Street, NW Suite 26-246 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 http://www.gcdd.org 888-ASK-GCDD TDD 404-657-2133 FAX 404-657-2132 Return service requested ( ) Please check here and return to your mail carrier if you no longer wish to receive Moving Forward. www.gcdd.org www.unlockthewaitinglists.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Capitol Impact Legislation — HOUSE: HB 70: To provide for the waiver of one of the special needs scholarship requirements under certain conditions. Sponsors: Golick, 40; Coleman, 97; Setzler, 35; Lindsey, 54; Dudgeon, 25; Kaiser, 59. Status: Ed; House Passed & Adopted; Senate Read & Referred. HB 78: Relating to the protection of disabled adults and elder persons, and reporting abuse or exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities; to change provisions relating to cruelty to a person 65 or older. Sponsors: Wendell, 51; Jones, 47; Lindsey, 54; Abrams, 89; Cooper, 43; Houston, 170. Status: JudyNC; House Passed & Adopted; Senate Read & Referred. HB 198: To provide for licensing of health insurance navigators under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Sponsors: Smith, R., 134; Meadows, 5; Maxwell, 17; Shaw, 176; Abrams, 89; Gardner, 57. Status: I&L; House Passed & Adopted; Senate Passed & Adopted. HB 207: To authorize issuance of a special turkey-hunting permit and pro- vide for an extended turkey season for young and mobility impaired hunters. Sponsors: Shaw, 176; Roberts, 155; Tankersley, 160; Williams, 168; Nim- mer, 178; Black, 174. Status: NR&E; House Passed & Adopted; Senate Read & Referred. HB 242: To enact comprehensive juvenile justice reforms recommended by the Governor's Special Council on Justice Reform in Georgia. Sponsors: Willard, 51; Coomer, 14; Hatchett, 150; Nimmer, 178; Oliver, 82; Neal, 2. Status: Judy; House Passed & Adopted; Senate Read & Referred. HB 389: Relating to insurance, so as to sunset requirements to provide con- version and enhanced conversion rights and coverage; to add new provi- sions allowing for the discontinuance of conversion and enhanced conversion coverage; to add new provisions allowing for the discontinuance of assign- ment system benefit plans. Sponsors: Taylor, 173; Smith, 134; Meadows, 5; Shaw, 176; Rogers, 29; Atwood, 179. Status: I&L; House Passed & Adopted, Senate Read & Referred. HR 107: A resolution creating the Joint Study Committee on Medicaid Re- form. Sponsors: Sheldon, 104; Rynders, 152; Channell, 120; Parrish, 158; Cooper, 43; O’Neal, 146. Status: Rules; House Passed & Adopted; Senate Read & Referred. Legislation — SENATE: SB 14: To create a Georgia Alzheimer's and Related Dementias State Plan Task Force. Sponsor: Unterman, R. 45. Status: HR&A; Senate Passed & Adopted; House Second Readers. SB 23: The "Stacey Nicole English Act," to aid in the location of missing per- sons who may be incapacitated due to serious medical conditions. Spon- sor: Davenport, 44; Fort, 39; Jones, 10; Donzella, 35; Tate, 38; Butler, 55. Status: PS&HS; Senate Passed & Adopted; House Second Readers. SB 24 (Companion bill to HB51): To enact the "Hospital Medicaid Financ- ing Program Act"; to authorize the Department of Community Health to as- sess a provider payment on hospitals. Sponsors: Bethel, 54; Jeffares, 17; Jackson, 24. Status: RI&U; House & Senate Passed & Adopted; Signed by Governor. SB 62: To establish the Federal and State Funded Health Care Financing Programs Overview Committee. Sponsors: Hill, 32; Shafer, 48; Unterman, 45; Miller, 49; Gooch, 51; Hill, 6. Status: HR&A; Senate Passed & Adopted; House Second Readers. SB 115: To provide that performance data of students in certain placements are included in the resident school system data. Sponsors: Tippins, 37; Wil- kinson, 50; Jeffares, 17; Williams, 19; Harper, 7; Millar, 40. Status: Ed; Senate Passed & Adopted; House Second Readers. SB 163: To require the Department of Community Health to study and iden- tify options for Medicaid reform; to provide for a report on findings and rec- ommendations. Sponsors: Ligon, 3; Albers, 56; Millar, 40; Loudermilk, 14; McKoon, 29; Crane, 28. Status: H&HS; Senate Passed & Adopted; House Second Readers. SB 236: To require insurers issuing accident and sickness policies to indi- cate on their premium statement to consumers the amount of the premium increase, if any, attributable to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Sponsors: Jones, 25; Murphy, 27; Harper, 7; Tippins, 37; Ginn, 47. Status: Insurance; Senate Passed & Adopted; House Second Readers. Thursday, March 7 was Crossover Day, or Day 30 of the legislative session. Any legislation that did not pass out of at least one chamber by that date will not pass this year unless it is attached to another bill that did cross over. Bills that did not cross over will be alive for next year’s legislative session. Below is the list of legislation tracked by Moving Forward, with the bills that did make crossover listed first. Legislation that failed to cross over — HOUSE: HB 18: The "Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act"; to pro- vide requirements for textbook publishers relating to electronic materials; to provide license requirements relating to Braille for certain teachers. Sponsor: Waites, K., 60; Scott, 76. Status: Ed; House Second Readers. HB 67: To expand the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund provisions to author- ize additional penalty assessments for additional violations. Sponsor: Culver, 145. Status: Judy; House Second Readers. HB 74: To require health plans to provide coverage for hearing aids for certain individuals. Sponsors: Edward Lindsey, 54; Doug Holt, 112; Mike Glanton, 75; Tom Dickson, 6; Tommy Benton, 31; Pat Gardner, 57. Status: Insurance; House Second Readers. HB 119: To provide for enhanced sentencing of defendants guilty of crimes that target a victim due to the victim's race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin. Sponsors: Marin, 96; Waites, 60; Brooks, 55; Bell, 58. Status: JudyNC; House Second Readers. HB 166: The "Parent Protection Act"; to provide for leave for employees to attend school conferences and medical appointments; to provide that retalia- tory actions are unlawful. Sponsors: Bruce, 61; Anderson, 92; Abrams, 89; Hugley, 136; Mitchell, 88; Holcomb, 81. Status: I&L; House Second Readers. HB 290: To allow employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members. Sponsors: Dempsey, 13; Benton, 31; Clark, 101; Brockway, 102; Kaiser, 59; Powell, 171. Status: HR&A; House Committee Favorably Reported. HB 299: Relating to tax returns; to provide for contributions to Special Olym- pics Georgia Inc. Sponsors: Watson, 172; Shaw, 176; Carter, 175; England, 116; Sharper, 177; Black, 174. Status: W&M; House Second Readers. HB 303: To provide that a person who has been denied a license to carry a weapon or has had such license revoked because of mental in- competency may reapply after five years. Sponsors: Gardner, 57; Jones, 62; Abrams, 89; Williams, 168; Fludd, 64; Holcomb, 81. Status: PS&HS; House Second Readers. HB 309 (Partner bill to SB 191): “Ava's Law,” to provide for certain insur- ance coverage of autism spectrum disorders. Sponsors: Harbin, 122; Dempsey, 13; Ramsey, 72; Randall, 142; Neal, 2; Battles, 15. Status: Insur- ance; House Second Readers. HB 398: Relating to unfair or deceptive practices in consumer transactions unlawful, so as to authorize licensed personal care homes and community liv- ing arrangements to use certain terms. Sponsors: Mawell, 17; Channell, 120; Stephens, 164; Clark, 101; Martin, 49; Kaiser, 59. Status: HR&A; House Committee Favorably Reported. HB 461: To provide for a single administrator for dental services for Medicaid recipients and PeachCare for Kids participants; to require the Department of Community Health to competitively bid out and contract with such single ad- ministrator. Sponsors: Rogers, 29; Channell, 120; Parrish, 158; Cooper, 43. Status: H&HS; House Committee Favorably Reported. HB 546: To require the Department of Public Health to establish a pilot pro- gram to assess the need for and effectiveness of using protocol technicians in areas of this state which do not have access to a hospital; to provide for legis- lative findings; to provide for the design of the program. Sponsors: Beverly, 143; Watson, 166. Status: H&HS: House Second Readers. Legislation that failed to cross over — SENATE: SB 47: To provide that each individual accident and sickness health insurance policy sold shall provide coverage for treatment of dependent children with cancer and provide coverage for autism. Sponsors: Fort, 39; Henson, 41; Tate, 38; Sims, 12; Lucas, 26; Donzella, 35. Status: I&L; Senate Read & Re- ferred. SB 50: Relating to absentee voting, so as to change the time periods for ad- vance voting. Sponsors: Henson, 41; Ramsey, 43; Tate, 38; Butler, 55; Lu- cas, 26; Fort, 39. Status: Ethics; Senate Read & Referred. SB 202: Formalizing procedures regarding arbitration agreements when a pa- tient enters a long-term care facility. Sponsors: Unterman, 45; Mullis, 53; Chance, 16. Status: H&HS; Senate Read and Referred. SB 220: To provide for a pilot program for the use of smart cards for Medicaid program recipients. Sponsor: Hill, 32. Status: H&HS; Senate Read & Re- ferred.