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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFifty-fifth Legislature First Regular Session |
Senate: HHS DPA/SE 8-0-0-0 | 3rd Read 28-0-2-0House: HHS DPA 8-0-0-1 |
SB 1244: developmental disabilities advisory council
Sponsor: Senator Barto, LD 15
Caucus & COW
Overview
Requires the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (DDAC) to adopt a master agenda each fiscal year and adds specified requirements for the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA).
History
DDD, within the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to lead self-directed, healthy and meaningful lives. DDD provides supports and services for eligible Arizonans and to people diagnosed with one of the following developmental disabilities: 1) autism; 2) cerebral palsy; 3) epilepsy; 4) cognitive or intellectual disability; or 5) children under the age of six who are at risk of having a developmental disability. DDD serves more than 40,000 people with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the state each year.
DDAC, together with DDD, provides advisory oversight on behalf of members, families and providers. DDAC is statutorily required to meet in each district at least once a year, and DDD must allow DDAC to review new policies and major policy changes before DDD submits the policies or changes for public comment. DDAC members are not eligible to receive compensation, however, members appointed by the Governor can be reimbursed for certain expenses.
DDAC must review and make recommendations to DDD regarding items that include the following: 1) coordinating and integrating services provided by state agencies and providers that have contracted with state agencies to provide developmental disability programs; 2) establishing and reviewing DDD policies and programs; 3) the cost-effectiveness of DDD services; 4) monitoring DDD's annual budget; and 5) selecting the DDD assistant director (A.R.S. § 36-553).
Provisions
1. Requires DDAC's annual in-district meetings to be separate from any other DDD meeting. (Sec. 1)
2. Instructs DDD to allow DDAC to review new policies and major policy changes at least 30 days before DDD submits the policies or changes for public comment. (Sec. 1)
3. States DDD staff must be available to DDAC to answer questions and review the proposed changes before the changes are submitted for public comment. (Sec. 1)
4. Requires DES to provide the same accommodations for all DDAC members when travel is necessary for business. (Sec. 1)
5. Stipulates that, at the beginning of each fiscal year, DDAC must adopt a master agenda that schedules each recommendation and notify the appropriate agencies in order for the agencies to provide and present information to DDAC. (Sec. 1)
6. Directs DDD staff to assist DDAC in preparing the annual report that includes DDAC's findings and recommendations relating to the information received regarding the recommendations. (Sec. 1)
7. Requires ADOA to annually educate DDAC members and DDD staff on the purpose of DDAC, DDAC statutes and open meetings laws. (Sec. 1)
8. 
Requires DDD to post on its website:
a) Scheduled meetings of DDAC, including in-district meetings;
b) DDAC's meeting minutes; and
c) DDAC's annual reports. (Sec. 1)
9. States DES must delineate in its annual budget request a separate line item for DDAC and DDAC must be delineated as a separate line item in the general appropriations act. (Sec. 1)
10. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
Amendments
Committee on Health and Human Services
1. States DDD must allow DDAC up to 30 days to review new policies and major policy changes, as opposed to at least 30 days.
2. Permits DDD to submit policies or changes for public comment before 30 days if DDAC confirms it has had adequate time to review the policies or changes.
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6. SB 1244
7. Initials EB/IR Page 0 Caucus & COW
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