Capitol Updates- Take 2

Spring  fever must be hitting me hard this year, please note my revisions to what I sent out yesterday.   My best, Rita Young
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The Senate Human Development Subcommittee recently met to review the 2012 Budget. The House already passed their version a few weeks ago,and we do not expect any big surprises due to the requirement of the Department of Justice settlement and the commitment of legislators to comply with the requirements. The 2012 budget should go to the full Senate Appropriations Committee early next week for a vote.


To review for 2012, the House approved funding for:

• 400 Family support services, five crisis respite homes and six mobile crisis teams

• 100 Community waivers for NOW and COMP for individuals with developmental disabilities on the waiting lists

• 150 Community waivers for individuals moving out of state hospitals.

The good news is that also added was $680,000 for community waivers specifically for children aging out of foster care.


Other bills of interest:

HB 245 Criminal Justice Reform

Sponsored by Representative Jay Neal and Speaker David Ralston, this bill will build a Council of 11 members to analyze our state’s criminal justice system, report back findings by January of 2012, and recommend legislation.

Since we hear more and more cases that involve individuals with developmental disabilities and the justice system, we believe that reform is necessary to ensure those individuals are treated fairly and have the same access to the justice system as others. According to James G. Exum, communication difficulties and other challenges have meant that inmates with disabilities are more readily convicted, more likely to serve longer terms, and less likely to have their convictions appealed.

HB 385 Revenue and Taxation
Sponsored by Representatives Mickey Channel and Larry O’ Neal, this is a comprehensive look at our current tax system by a special committee made up of economists, legislators and small and large business representatives with recommendations on how to update Georgia’s tax system. No movement on this bill yet.
Look to 2020 Georgia for further details on the recommendations.


HB 181 Special Needs Scholarship Program
Sponsored by Representatives Rich Golick and Brooks Coleman and is
headed now to the Senate, this bill would drop the requirement of a student to be enrolled in a public school for one year before they could qualify for a voucher to attend private school.