LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

1
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
2
LEGISLATION IN CONGRESS

• ADA RESTORATION ACT
• COMMUNITY CHOICES ACT
• REHABILITATION ACT
• SECTION EIGHT VOUCHER REFORM ACT
• VOTER CONFIDENCE AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY ACT
  
  
• APPROPRIATIONS

3
ADA Restoration Act (HR 3195 S 1881)

• Representative Steny Hoyer (D MD), Representative
  James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and Senator Tom Harkin
  (D IA) introduced the ADA Restoration Act of
  2007, S. 1881 and H.R. 3195 on July 26th.
• Two Hundred twenty two (222) Members of the House
  have co-sponsored the bill and 2 Members of the
  Senate have Co-sponsored the bill.
  
• The determination of whether an individual has a
  physical or mental impairment would be made
  without regard to whether the individual uses any
  mitigating measures.

4
ACTION TO TAKE

• Call your Representative and Senators and urge
  them to cosponsor the ADA Restoration Act of 2007
  (H.R. 3195 and S. 1881)!
  
• Once you have contacted your Representatives and
  Senators, please contact Deb Cotter, Policy
  Analyst, at deb_at_ncil.org or [phone], ext.
  1008, and let her know the response you received.
  

5
Community Choices Act H.R. 1621 S 799

• CCA has 19 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 401) and
  33 co-sponsors in the House (H.R. 1621).
  
• CCA would end the institutional bias in our long
  term care system by giving people with
  disabilities of any age a right to services in
  the community.

6
ACTION TO TAKE

• If your Senator or Representative has
  co-sponsored CCA thank him or her.
  
• If they have not signed on as a co-sponsor ask
  him or her to do so!
  
• Tell Legislators that our long-term service
  system must change to end the institutional bias
  and eliminate cumbersome regulations.
  
• Tell Legislators that community services are good
  for cost containment, moving people with
  disabilities into the workforce and supports
  family values.
• Tell Legislators that people with disabilities
  want services in the most integrated setting
  possible. Regardless of age or type of
  disability.

7
REHABILITATION ACT

• Neither the Senate or House have Introduced a
  bill.
  
• Senate Draft Bill includes the Title VII, Part C
  funding formula change.
  
• Senate Draft Bill includes the ability to carry
  over Part C Funds.
  
• Senate Draft Bill includes the addition of a
  fifth core service related to community living
  and nursing home transition.
  
• Senate Draft Bill includes Expanded duties for
  the State Independent Living Council.
  

8
ACTION TO TAKE

• WE CAN STILL GET THE REHAB ACT PASSED.
• CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND ASK
  THEM TO SUPPORT THE SENATE BILL.
  
• TELL THEM TO SUPPORT THE FUNDING FORMULA CHANGE!
• TELL THEM TO SUPPORT THE ADDITION OF THE FIFTH
  CORE SERVICE.
  
• TELL LEGISLATORS THAT COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE GOOD
  FOR COST CONTAINMENT, MOVING PEOPLE WITH
  DISABILITIES INTO THE WORKFORCE AND THAT CILS
  ARE UNIQUELY QUALIFIED TO PROVIDE THIS SERVICE.
• TELL THEM TO SUPPORT FUNDING INCREASES IN
  INDEPENDENT LIVING.

9
SECTION EIGHT VOUCHER REFORM ACT (SEVRA)

• INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE BY REP. MAXINE WATERS OF
  CALIFORNIA.
  
• PASSED HOUSE 333 T0 83.
• REFERRED TO THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON BANKING,
  HOUSING, AND URBAN AFFAIRS.
  
• NCIL SUPPORTS SOME PROVISIONS AND OPPOSES OTHERS.

10
ACTION TO TAKE

• Monitor the bills progress in the Senate
• If the bill starts to move in the Senate contact
  your Senator and tell them about what we support
  and what we oppose
  
• Please let the NCIL office know where your
  senator stands on the bill
  

11
VOTER CONFIDENCE AND INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY ACT

• INTRODUCED BY REP RUSH HOLT (NJ)
• PLACED ON THE UNION CALENDAR ON MAY 16, 2007
• AMENDS THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002 TO
  REQUIRE A VOTER-VERIFIED PERMANENT PAPER BALLOT
  

12
ACTION TO TAKE

• CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND LET THEM KNOW YOU
  OPPOSE THE BILL AND ASK THEM TO AS WELL.
  
• TELL THEM THAT THE BILL CAN NOT BE IMPLEMENTED BY
  THE DEADLINE.
  
• TELL THEM THAT THE BILL WILL RESTRICK THE ABILITY
  OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO VOTE PRIVATELY AND
  INDEPENDENTLY.

13
2008 APPROPRIATIONS

• CONTINUING RESOLUTION
• Passed September 26 27, 2007
• Provides level funding through November 16,
  2007.
  
• We have not heard anything about another 1
  across the board cut

14
How can you help?

• Know the issues
• Support change
• Tell your friends
• Tell Congress

15
HOW TO CONTACT CONGRESS

• www.house.gov
• House Members
• Committee Hearing Schedule
• Member Votes
• www.senate.gov
• Senate Member
• Committee Hearing Schedule
• Member Votes
• http//thomas.loc.gov/
• Bill Summary Status
• Bill Text
• Committee Reports