Bill Text: CA SJR18 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Senate Joint Resolution 18 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Individuals with disabilities: tax exempt accounts.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Passed) 2012-06-25 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 62, Statutes of 2012. [SJR18 Detail]

Download: California-2011-SJR18-Chaptered.html

BILL NUMBER: SJR 18	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  62
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JUNE 25, 2012
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  MAY 17, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 21, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Pavley
   (Coauthors: Senators Correa, De Le�n, and Leno)
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Alejo, Ammiano, Blumenfield, Huffman,
Ma, Monning, and Williams)

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2012

   Relative to persons with disabilities.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 18, Pavley. Individuals with disabilities: tax exempt
accounts.
   This measure would urge the President and the Congress of the
United States to immediately enact the Achieving a Better Life
Experience Act of 2011.



   WHEREAS, Many families are searching for a way to plan for the
future of a child with developmental disabilities, which are costly
to society and to families; and
   WHEREAS, The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2011 (ABLE
Act), proposed in H.R. 3423 and S. 1872 and currently debated by
Congress, would create disability savings accounts for individuals
with developmental or other disabilities and their families, as a way
to save for future needs with funds that could accrue interest tax
free; and
   WHEREAS, The ABLE Act would give individuals with developmental or
other disabilities and their families an option for saving for their
future financial needs in a way that supports their unique situation
and makes it more feasible to live full and productive lives in
their communities; and
   WHEREAS, While many families are currently able to save for the
educational needs of children through "529" college tuition plans,
these plans do not fit the needs of children with developmental or
other disabilities; and
   WHEREAS, Many families recognize that loved ones with
developmental or other disabilities may live for many decades beyond
the ability of the parents or other family members to provide
financial assistance and support; and
   WHEREAS, Many families also want to ensure the financial security
of family members who have the level of disability required for
Medicaid eligibility, but for now, are managing to function without
the use of those benefits and state resources; and
   WHEREAS, The ABLE Act would create a savings fund for those with
developmental or other disabilities that could be drawn upon for a
variety of essential expenses, including medical and dental care,
education and employment training and support, assistive technology,
housing and transportation, personal support services, and other
expenses for life necessities; and
   WHEREAS, Savings accounts opened under the ABLE Act would provide
substantial flexibility to meet the specific needs of the individual,
with a broad array of allowable expenses and no age limitations so
that these funds can be used whenever they are needed; and
   WHEREAS, The flexibility in expenses would also allow families to
save with confidence even though they cannot always predict how
independent their child will become; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature urges the President and the
Congress of the United States to immediately enact the Achieving a
Better Life Experience Act of 2011 (ABLE Act); and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States,
to the President pro Tempore of the United States Senate, to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, to each Senator and
Representative from California in the Congress of the United States,
and to the author for appropriate distribution.