Home stretch! We are in the final days of the legislative session. Therefore, the House and Senate members are working in conference committee to create the final version of the FY 2015 budget. Some exciting news: $100,000 in NEW funding was added into the Senate Appropriations budget within the Georgia Council for Disabilities budget to expand Inclusive Post-Secondary Education within Georgia. Also, the Senate Appropriations added another $250,000 to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities budget for a total of $500,000 to provide supported employment for 64 individuals with developmental disabilities. Please contact your Representative and your Senator to thank them for their support, and ask for their continued support of these important and exciting budget items. Monday, March 3 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. Please see the bills on the back of this issue explaining which bills that Moving Forward is tracking that made it past crossover and which ones did not. House and Senate News: House Leadership — Speaker of the House: David Ralston, 7th; Speaker Pro Tempore: Jan Jones, 47th. Majority Leader: Larry O’Neal, 146th; Minority Leader: Stacey Abrams, 89th. 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, Mailing address: 206 Washington Street, Suite 203, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334; 404-656-1776, http://gov.georgia.gov To identify your legislators, go to www.gcdd.org, click on Join our Advocacy Network, and follow the instructions. Once you are logged into Capitol Impact, click on “Officials” and then “GA District Lookup”. Enter your address and Capitol Impact will identify your legislators. Budget Information: The 2014 Session tackles the 2014 supplemental budget, referred to here as FY 2014A, (ending June 30, 2014) and the 2015 FY budget (beginning July 1, 2014). The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the FY2015 budget out of committee on Tuesday, March 3 and the full Senate passed the budget on Thursday, March 6. Earlier this week the House and Senate formally formed the conference committee to work out the differences in the House and Senate versions of the budget. Below are some of the highlights the FY 2015 disability-related budget items. It compares the Unlock the Waiting Lists original ASK with the current status within the FY2015 budget. Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, FY 2015 Increase funds for 75 additional slots for the New Options Waiver (NOW) and Comprehensive Waiver (COMP) for the developmentally disabled to meet the requirements of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement Agreement. $1,620,512 This item was in the Governor’s recommended budget. Annualize the cost of 250 FY 2014 NOW and COMP waiver slots for the developmentally disabled to meet the requirements of the DOJ Settle- ment Agreement. $6,906,153 This item was in the Governor’s recommended budget. Increase funds for developmental disabilities consumers in community settings to comply with the requirements of the DOJ Settlement Agree- ment (excludes waivers). $1,872,000 This item was in the Governor’s recommended budget. Utilize enhanced federal participation rate for 175 additional NOW and COMP for the developmentally disabled to meet the requirements of the DOJ Settlement Agreement. This item was in the Governor’s recommended budget. Housing vouchers to support 100 people with developmental disabilities who wish to live in their own home or apartment $480,000 This item was not in the Governor’s budget. There was nothing added by the House or Senate. www.gcdd.org www.unlockthewaitinglists.com Budget Items (continued) Supported employment funds to assist 250 young people with developmental disabilities find and keep employment in the community. $1,960,000 This item was not in the Governor’s budget. $250K for 64 Individuals with DD was added to House budget. Another $250K (for a total of $500K) for 64 individuals was added to Senate budget. This means that if the conference committee agrees there will be 64 individuals fully funded for Supported Employment using State dollars. Provide a rate increase for developmental disabilities providers. This was neither in the Governor’s budget nor part of the Unlock Ask. $874,000 was added to the House budget of a ½% increase. $1,958,526 was added to the Senate budget for a 1.5% rate increase. Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities, FY 2015 Inclusive Post-Secondary Education funds for scholarships for qualified students in need and to lay the ground work for a more comprehensive system of inclusive post secondary programs in Georgia $200.000 This item was not in the Governor’s budget. $100K was added in the Senate budget. Department of Community Health, FY 2015 Unlock supports the DCH request for 25 additional ICWP waivers using Balancing Incentive Payment Program funds This item was in the Governor’s budget. Department of Human Services, FY 2015 Unlock supports the DHS request to utilize enhanced federal participation rate for 100 additional CCSP slots This item was in the Governor’s budget. Unlock supports the DHS request to utilize enhanced federal participation rate to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for Alternative Living Services and Personal Support Services by 5% in both elderly waiver programs (CCSP and SOURCE). This item was in the Governor’s budget. Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, FY 2015 Increase funding for Vocational Rehabilitation services that prepare persons with disabilities for competitive employment so that Georgia may pull down its full 4:1 federal dollar match $8,200,000 This item was not in the Governor’s budget. $5,389,671 was added to Senate budget. Department of Community Affairs, FY 2015 Increase retrofit dollars for home modifications & necessary code updates to inaccessible properties $300,000 This item was not in the Governor’s budget. There was nothing added by the House or Senate. Legislative Calendar: Fri. March 14 – Mon. March 17 . . . . . in adjournment Tues. March 18 = Legislative day 39 Wed. March 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .in adjournment Thurs. March 20 = Legislative day 40 (Sine die) Please stay tuned to the latest news by signing up for Capitol Impact and Moving Forward. Go to www.gcdd.org and click on Join Our Advocacy Network! 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 14, 2014 Volume 19—Issue 8 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 for the latest updates. Moving Forward e-Updates available at http://www.gcdd.orgpublicpolicyindex.htm HOUSE CROSS-OVER BILLS (made it through Cross Over) HB 0744; David Ralston; General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015; App; APPROP; 3/11/2014; Senate Conference Committee Appointed 4th, 16th, 48th. HB 0743; Ralston, David; Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014; App; APPROP ; 2/26/2014; House Date Signed by Governor HB 0744; Ralston, David; General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015; App; APPROP; 3/11/2014; Senate Conference Committee Appointed 4th, 16th, 48th HB 0766; Lumsden, Eddie; Work Based Learning Act; enact; Ed; ED&Y; 3/11/2014; Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute HB 0772; Morris, Greg; Public assistance; drug testing for applicants for food stamps; require; Judy; H&HS; 3/12/2014; Senate - Senate Read Second Time HB 0885; Peake, Allen; Medical cannabis; continuing research into benefits to treat certain conditions; provisions; H&HS; H&HS; 3/4/2014; Senate - Senate Read and Referred HB 0899; Cooper, Sharon; Unlicensed personal care homes; criminal penalties for owning or operating; provide; H&HS; H&HS; 3/12/2014; Senate - Senate Read Second Time HB 0910; Kelley, Trey; Community Health, Department of; authorize medical-legal partnerships; provisions; H&HS; H&HS; 2/25/2014; Senate Read and Referred HB 0913; Kelley, Trey; Community Health, Board of; persons having certain conflicts of interest from serving on board; prohibit; Gaff; H&HS; 3/4/2014; Senate Read and Referred HB 0914; Wilkerson, David; Social services; school personnel required to report child abuse shall be notified by child protective agency upon receipt of report and completion of investigation; provide; JuvJ; H&HS; 3/4/2014; Senate Read and Referred HB 0990; Jones, Jan; Social services; expansion of Medicaid eligibility through in- crease in income threshold without prior legislative approval; prohibit; Judy; H&HS; 3/4/2014; Senate Read and Referred HB 0707; Spencer, Jason 180th; The Georgia Health Care Freedom and ACA Noncompliance Act; enact; Judy; I&L; 3/4/2014; Senate Read and Referred HB 0973; Lindsey, Edward; Medicaid; changes to civil penalties for false or fraudulent claims; provisions; Judy; JUDY; 3/12/2014; Senate Read Second Time HB 0078; Willard, Wendell 51st; Crimes and offenses; protection of disabled adults and elder persons; change provisions; Judy; JUDYNC; 7/1/2013; House - Effective Date HB 0870; Tanner, Kevin; Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund; imposition of additional fine for reckless driving; provide; JudyNC; JUDYNC; 3/4/2014; Senate Read and Referred Legislation that failed to cross over — HOUSE HB 0015; Waites, Keisha 60th; Elementary and secondary education; annual reporting of bullying incidents; require; 11/28/2012; House - House Prefiled HB 0018; Waites, Keisha 60th; Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act; enact; 2/26/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0051; Hatchett, Matt 150th; Hospital Medicaid Financing Program Act; enact; 1/16/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0067; Kidd, E. Culver "Rusty" 145th; Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund; penalty assessments for additional violations; authorize; 1/28/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0074; Lindsey, Edward 54th; Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Act; enact; 1/28/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0097; Brooks, Tyrone 55th; Minimum wage; substantive and comprehensive reform of provisions regarding the law; provide; 1/29/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0102; Shaw, Jason 176th; Special license plates; veterans of the United States armed forces; provide; 1/29/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0119; Marin, Pedro "Pete" 96th; Sentencing; defendants guilty of crimes involving bias or prejudice, circumstances, and parole; repeal certain provisions; 1/30/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0166; Bruce, Roger 61st; Parent Protection Act; enact; 2/1/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0205; Lindsey, Edward 54th; Psychiatric Advance Directive Act; enact; 2/7/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0290; Dempsey, Katie 13th; Family Care Act - to allow employees to use sick leave for the care of immediate family members; 2/3/2014; House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute HB 0309; Harbin, Ben 122nd; Ava's Law; enact; 2/13/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0398; Maxwell, Howard 17th; Consumer transactions; licensed personal care homes and community living arrangements to use certain terms; authorize; 3/28/2013; House - House Withdrawn, Recommitted HB 0546; Beverly, James 143rd; Public Health, Department of; pilot program to assess need for and effectiveness of using protocol technicians in areas which do not have assess to a hospital; establish; 3/11/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0606; Knight, David 130th; Private home care providers; revise definition to exclude contractual arrangements with independent contractors; 3/20/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0608; Houston, Penny 170th Community Health, Department of; criminal back- ground check requirements for applicants for employment by certain licensed facilities; expand; 3/21/2013; House - House Second Readers HB 0695; Carson, John 46th; Public assistance; provide reimbursement for Medicaid providers; provisions; 1/14/2014; House Second Readers HB 0700; Waites, Keisha; Public facilities; State Capitol and CLOB; persons with disabilities; provide increased accessibility; 2/24/2014; House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute HB 0745; David Ralston Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014; 1/17/2014; House Second Readers. (continued) HB 0748; Ralston, David; General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2014 - June 30, 2015; 1/17/2014; House Second Readers HB 0754; Waites, Keisha; Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act; enact; 1/17/2014; House Second Readers HB 0760; Welch, Andrew; General Assembly; committees have ability to subpoena department and division heads to testify and produce documents for examination; provide; 1/21/2014; House Second Readers HB 0853; Stover, David; Mental health facilities; certificate of need; revise exemption; 1/31/2014; House Second Readers HB 0868; Fludd, Virgil; Community Health, Board of; contract with at least two vendors to provide health insurance benefits for retiring and retired state employees; require; 1/31/2014; House Second Readers HB 0894; Peake, Allen; Continuing care providers and facilities; provide for continuing care at home; provisions; 2/5/2014; ; House Second Readers HB 0942; Gordon, J. Craig; Online Voter Registration Act of 2014; enact; 2/10/2014; House Second Readers HB 1084; Weldon, Tom; Community Health, Department of; infraction of condition under Medicare or Medicaid not constitute negligence per se; provide; 2/26/2014; House Second Readers SENATE CROSS-OVER BILLS (made it through Cross Over) SB 0329; Wilkinson, John; "Work Based Learning Act"; Ed; ED&Y; 2/17/2014; House Second Readers SB 0349; Bethel, Charlie; Behavorial Health and Developmental, Dept. of; changes to the powers and duties; Gaff; H&HS; 3/10/2014; House Passed/Adopted SB 0065; Unterman, Renee 45th; Mental Health; authorize licensed professional counse- lor to perform certain acts; secure certification; H&HS; H&HS; 3/7/2014; House Passed/ Adopted By Substitute SB 0163; Ligon, Jr., William 3rd; Community Health Dept.; required to study and identify options for Medicaid reform; H&HS; H&HS; 3/28/2013; House - House Withdrawn, Recommitted SB 0291; Unterman, Renee; Georgia Adult and Aging Services Agency; create; HumR; H&HS; 2/18/2014; House Committee Favorably Reported SB 0292; Unterman, Renee; Alzheimer's Disease Registry; establish within the Department of Public Health; HumR; H&HS; 2/18/2014; House Committee Favorably Reported SB 0397; Golden, Tim; Autism; provide for certain insurance coverage of autism spectrum disorders; definitions; limitations; premium capIns; I&L; 3/3/2014; House Second Readers SB 0207; Albers, John 56th; Probation of first offenders; person disqualified from employment when discharged as felony offender; add private home care providers to list; JudyNC; PUB SAF; 3/5/2014; House Passed/Adopted By Substitute SB 0298; Murphy, Jack; License Plates; submission of a doctor's prescription; application for a special parking decal for persons with disabilities in lieu of an affidavit; notary public not available; MotV; PUB SAF; 3/12/2014; House - House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute SB 0023; Davenport, Gail 44th; "Stacey Nicole English Act"; aid in the location of missing persons; incapacitated due to medical conditions; establish; PS&HS; PUB SAF; 3/4/2014; House Passed/Adopted Legislation that failed to cross over — SENATE SB 0034; James, Donzella 35th; Public Order and Safety; unlawful for mentally incompetent person to possess a handgun; penalties; JUDYNC; 1/15/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0046; Orrock, Nan 36th; Insurance; establish the Georgia Health Insurance Market- place Authority; I&L; 1/15/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0047; Fort, Vincent 39th; Insurance; provide each individual accident/sickness policy; coverage for treatment of dependent children with cancer/autism; I&L; 1/15/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0050; Henson, Steve 41st; Election; change time periods for advance voting; ETHICS; 1/16/2013 10:28 Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0057; James, Donzella 35th; "Universal Kindergarten Mandate For Early Starts Act"; change ages of mandatory education; ED&Y; 1/17/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0063; Hill, Judson 32nd; State Government; federal health care reform legislation; legislative findings; H&HS; 1/28/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0079; Jackson, Lester 2nd; Education; raise the age of mandatory education from 16 to 17; ED&Y; 1/30/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0090; Gooch, Steve 51st; Governor's Development Council; periodic submission of certain information by state, regional, and local transportation authorities; TRANS; 2/1/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0141; Beach, Brandon 21st; 'Patient Injury Act'; create an alternative medical malpractice litigation; H&HS; 2/11/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0186; Ligon, Jr., William 3rd; Mental Health; provide for authorization of ambulance personnel to transport certain mentally ill patients; H&HS 2/21/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0191; Albers, John 56th; "Ava's Law"; provide definitions; certain insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders; I&L; 2/22/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0202; Unterman, Renee 45th; Litigation code changes; H&HS; 2/25/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0220; Hill, Judson 32nd; Public Assistance; provide for a pilot program; smart cards for Medicaid program recipients; H&HS; 2/27/2013; Senate - Senate Read and Referred SB 0409; Jackson, Lester; "Blind Persons' Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act"; enact; blind or visually impaired child; determine need for Braille instruction; ED&Y; 2/26/2014; Senate Read Second Time 2 Peachtree Street, NW Suite 26-24 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.