Bills
Passed and Signed into Law (Updated: 08/18/2008)
- AB 122 (ACT
340)
History [Text in PDF]
Allows medical transportation providers to use vehicles that do not accommodate wheelchairs to transport ambulatory people in addition to vehicles that do accommodate wheelchairs. - AB296 (ACT 47)
History [Text in PDF] (WCA Memo Opposing Bill)
This bill would amend 46.279 (2) and 46.279 (3) of the statutes; relating to: modifying certain restrictions on admissions to, protective placements in, or transfers to intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded and nursing homes.WCDD OPPOSES. This bill shields counties from providing services for individuals in the community if funding is not readily available.
- AB 308 (ACT 218)
History [Text in PDF]
Establishes a clearinghouse for information about special education transition services and vocational opportunities that are available in each county. Signed into law as Act 218.WCDD SUPPORTS. The clearinghouse will help parents and students access resources in their own communities
- AB 353/SB 181 (ACT 353)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill creates new crimes involving dogs that are trained for the purpose of assisting persons with sensory, mental, or physical disabilities or accommodating such disabilities (service dogs). It provides penalties for harrassing, injuring or stealing a service dog.WCDD SUPPORTS. This bill provides needed protections to dogs serving people with disabilities. There have been cases of service dogs attacked by other dogs without significant consequences.
- AB 426 (ACT 438)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill gives more flexibility to counties to use funds in the Specialized Transportation Assistance Program that are designated for equipment to be used to provide rides.
- AB 539 (ACT 388)
History [Text in PDF] [FAQs about AB 539]
This bill often referred to as the Protective Services Bill expands protections to adults at risk including people with developmental disabilities, mental health issues and other disabilities. The bill generally clarifies the duties of county protective services agencies.WCDD SUPPORTS. The bill will help people with developmental disabilities be safer.
- AB 715 (ACT 455)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill clarifies disabled parking privileges and increases penalties for parking identification violations.WCDD SUPPORTS. This bill may prevent violations that can make parking a frustrating experience for people with disabilities.
- AB 785 (ACT 264)
History [Text in PDF] [More Information] [Bill Highlights]
This bill revises Chapter 55, which is the statute that people can enter institutions for treatment either voluntarily or ordered by a court (called protective placements and protective services.) The bill also revises the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication. Signed into law as Act 264.WCDD SUPPORTS. This bill is a long overdue update of state law.
- AB 792 (ACT 197)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill requires home care placement agencies to provide notice to the consumer about the rights, duties, responsibilities and liabilities of the consumer and worker.Signed into law as Act 197.WCDD SUPPORTS. The bill would help make more clear the responsibilities of consumers and direct care workers.
- AB 802 (ACT 107)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill provides that if the state receives more federal MA matching funds than anticipated, then the state must disburse those funds to county and municipal nursing homes.WCDD OPPOSES. Additional federal funds should also be provided for community-based services.
- AB 844/SB 451 (ACT 74)
History [Text in PDF] [Amendment] [Amendment Explanation]
This bill makes changes affecting the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (HIRSP); creates a HIRSP Authority to assume administration of HIRSP; a health benefit program for persons eligible for tax credits for payment of premiums; creates an income and franchise tax credit and license fee credit for insurers that pay assessments to the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.WCDD SUPPORTS.
- AB 945/SB 529 (ACT 258)
History [Text in PDF] [Amendment] [Amendment Explanation]
This bill updates state law to make it more like the new federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.WCDD SUPPORTS. The bills were amended with input from disability advocates.
- AB 981 (ACT 211)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill allows the Department of Health and Family Services to move funds as necessary to maintain funding for the Medicaid program. Signed into law as Act 211.
WCDD SUPPORTS. The Council supports efforts to maintain funding and services provided by Medicaid.
- AB 987/SB 579 (ACT 351)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill provides a civil penalty to those caregivers who fail to disclose a criminal charge or conviction to an employer, if the employer requires that disclosure.WCDD SUPPORTS. People with disabilities and agencies should have all the relevant background information they need to make good hiring decisions.
- AB 1110/SB 653 (ACT 386)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill lifts the caps on the long-term care benefit called Family Care. Currently DHFS is limited to provide Family Care in pilot counties only. This bill would have allowed Family Care to expand statewide. It was amended to allow expansion to 50% of eligible people.WCDD SUPPORTS. The Family Care program provides an entitlement to services for people with disabilities which does not exist outside the Family Care pilot counties.
- AB 1094/SB 650 (ACT 449)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill changes the definition of registration and treatment records for people with mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism and drug dependence. It also changes the exception under current law concerning release of treatment records to a physician and creates an additional exception for records release. - SB 157 (ACT 354)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill allows for the full and equal enjoyment of a public place of accommodation or amusement by a person with a disability who is accompanied by a service animal.WCDD SUPPORTS. It is a reasonable accommodation for people who need service animals.
- SB 226 (ACT 444)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill addresses informed consent issues for minors for inpatient and outpatient treatment for mental illness and developmental disabilities, informed consent for the administration to minors of psychtropic medication, and access to records. - SB 312 (ACT 355)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill expands the nursing home relocation provision in the current state budget to include people who are at risk of placement into a nursing home under the Community Integration Program II (CIP II).WCDD SUPPORTS.
- SB 382 (ACT 224)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill provides that if a student enrolled in a school district lives outside the district as a result of a joint custody arrangement, at the request of the student's parent or guardian the school district must transport the student to and from an agreed upon location within the district. - SB 391 (ACT 387)
History [Text in PDF] [More Information]
This bill revises the laws in a large number of areas: guardianships, conservatorships, and wards; involuntary administration of psychotropic medication; protective placements and protective services; powers of attorney for health care; durable powers of attorney; and residence and county of responsibility.WCDD SUPPORTS. The revised law gives more control to wards to make decisions about their lives.
- SB 612 (ACT 451)
History [Text in PDF]
This bill is a compromise voting reform bill between the governor's office and the Legislative Council Committee on Election Reform. This bill addresses many election reforms such as felony voting, absentee voting, changes to registration and registration deadlines, poll worker training, and election administration.
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