Dispatch from Jones St: HB673 Is on the Way to Governor Perdue

Congratulations advocates! Today HB 673: Support for Developmental Disability Services passed it concurrence vote 112 Yes to 0 Nayes and is on its way to Governor Bev Perdue!

Here is what the bill will do for people with developmental disabilities:

-HB 673 includes many of the recommendations from the Institute of Medicine Study on Developmental Disabilities. The Institute of Medicine Study on Developmental Disabilities was legislated by the General Assembly during the 2008 short session.

-This bill will re-establish a standardized waiting list for people with developmental disabilities who are seeking services. This wait list will provide the necessary data collection to be used by the state and members of the General Assembly to effectively serve people with developmental disabilities.

The waiting list will collect data for people with developmental disabilities who may qualify for the following targeted services
a. Waiting for residential services.
b. Potentially eligible for CAP-MRDD.
c. In need of other State-funded services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.

-This bill directs the Secretary of DHHS to develop and adopt rules governing a statewide data system that will be used to for statewide planning.

-The creation of the statewide waiting list data system does not create an entitlement to services for people on the waiting list.

-This legislation also adjusts the reauthorizing person center plans for people with developmental disabilities to quarterly, semi-annually, or annually depending on the services that they are currently receiving.

-The combining of existing services definitions permits for more flexibility with the new Tier 1 CAP/MR-DD waiver in addressing the needs of people with developmental disabilities.

The Arc of North Carolina extends our thanks to all of our bill sponsors, especially Representative Beverly Earle who was the bills champion.