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2000 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 34
Continuing the work of the Disability Commission.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2000
Agreed to by the Senate, March 10, 2000

WHEREAS, in 1990 the Commission on the Coordination of the Delivery of Services to Facilitate the Self-Sufficiency and Support of Persons with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, now known formally as the Disability Commission, was established to assess the delivery of services to Virginia's citizens with physical and sensory disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the 1992 report of that Commission established a ten-year plan of action that formed a system of programs and services within an infrastructure designed to be consumer-focused and community-based; and

WHEREAS, the work of the Commission was continued by successive sessions of the General Assembly in order to provide ongoing support in developing and reviewing recommendations for service program changes and funding related to persons with physical and sensory disabilities until the year 2000 as well as designating the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities as the agency to provide staff support to the Commission; and

WHEREAS, today this Commission is comprised of 18 members and is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor; and

WHEREAS, in 1995 the Secretary of Health and Human Resources completed an evaluation of recommendations made by the Commission and provided an overview of accomplishments, as well as gaps in services, to date; and

WHEREAS, each year, the Commission continues to identify legislative priorities that need to be examined by the General Assembly and is viewed as a forum where the needs and issues of people with disabilities can be addressed through the joint cooperation of the legislature, the Lieutenant Governor, the Governor's appointees, and the agencies of the Executive branch; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Disability Commission be continued until the year 2004. Technical assistance and staff support, with additional funding, shall be provided to the Disability Commission by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. The first priority of the Commission shall be to develop a strategic plan in which priorities are set for subsequent Commission activities.

The membership of the Disability Commission shall consist of 18 persons to be comprised in the following manner: 6 members, in accordance with the principles of Rule 16 of the Rules of the House of Delegates, and 1 former member of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; 3 members and 1 former member of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; the Lieutenant Governor; and 6 citizen members to be appointed by the Governor, two of whom shall be consumers with disabilities. In appointing the remaining four citizen members, the Governor should consider persons representing the medical, insurance, and rehabilitation fields. The Lieutenant Governor shall serve as chairman, and a legislative member shall serve as vice-chairman.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission for this study, upon request.

The Commission shall submit regular, periodic reports of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.