Cover memo for Senate Bill 188, December 9, 2003

2004 Legislative Initiatives: Cover Memo with Draft Bill 12/9/03 - Department of Disability Policy and Supports (Craig Williams, Lori Valentine, Greg James, JP Scholtes) Bill Status e Completed draft form is attached but requires formatting corrections to be made. • Kris Cox and Diane McComb have done extensive outreach to the disability community about the concepts contained in the bill to communicate the Governor’s intent. They report a generally favorable response with people eager to see the details. • Kris and Diane have met with many legislators (Speaker Busch, Chairman Middleton, Chairman Hollinger, et.al.) about the general direction the Governor would like to move in regarding disability policy but have refrained from discussing the bill. • Kris and Diane are awaiting the Governor’s approval to shop the specific bill in the legislature with a goal of obtaining a majority in both chambers as cosponsors of the legislation. Specifically, they believe they could enlist the Speaker’s enthusiastic support to begin collecting House sponsors the week of 12/15. Elements of the Legislation о Creates a new department. * Creates staffing and related resources. e Defines mission to develop comprehensive statewide policy and allow for growth into the delivery of supports, consolidating services currently delivered by other departments. * Allows for review of federal, state, and local funding and policy. • Allows for articulation of performance objectives within state departments, о Provides technical assistance to state government on disability policy and supports. ® Empowers the Secretary to provide a Statewide Disability Implementation Plan, requiring each unit of State government to cooperate and participate. • Creates an 1 8-member Maryland Advisory Commission on Disability Policy. » Creates a Disability Implementation Board to develop a process to implement recommendations across state government resulting from Departmental review. • Develops an office of research and evaluation as well an office of constituent services within the Department. * Associated.conversations with DBM include an enhanced budget to reflect additional staff, resources, and likely move to new location.