Bill Text: VA HB79 | 2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub
Bill Title: Disability Commission; establishing work groups to assist in carrying out powers and duties, etc.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 3-1)
Status: (Passed) 2012-04-18 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0741) [HB79 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2012-HB79-Comm_Sub.html
12105663D
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §30-236 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §30-236. (Expires July 1, 2012) Powers and duties of the Commission. A. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties: 1. Serve as the primary forum in the Commonwealth where the needs of and issues affecting people with physical and sensory disabilities are identified and addressed through the collaboration of members of the legislative and executive branches of state government, including the staff of legislative and executive branch agencies, and citizens of the Commonwealth; 2. Develop, evaluate, and advance budget proposals and legislative and policy recommendations to support a service system that maximizes the self-sufficiency of Virginians with disabilities; 3. Develop and evaluate recommendations for service program changes and funding related to services for persons with physical and sensory disabilities; 4. Advise on local, state and federal policies and programs relevant to citizens with disabilities; and 5. Serve as the primary body for coordinating proposals and recommendations of all commissions and agencies for legislation or budget actions affecting persons with physical and sensory disabilities, including receiving, reviewing, and responding to proposals and recommendations. B. The Commission shall use work groups composed of persons with expertise in the matters under consideration by the Commission to assist the Commission in carrying out its powers and duties. Such work groups shall focus on issues related to (i) housing and transportation, (ii) education and employment, (iii) publicly funded services, and (iv) such other issues as the Commission may deem necessary. Persons serving on the work groups shall serve without compensation. 2. That the Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall convene a work group that includes representatives of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions, the Virginia Disability Commission, the Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy, the Departments of Rehabilitative Services and Housing and Community Development, the Virginia Housing Development Authority, and other stakeholders to develop a plan to improve access to housing and transportation for Virginians with disabilities, including options for encouraging the development of new accessible housing that is located in a manner to ensure access to public transportation and other transportation services for individuals with disabilities. 3. That §30-239 of the Code of Virginia is repealed. |