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1995 SESSION

LD4399476
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 630
Offered January 23, 1995
Continuing the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Continuation of Services for Young Adults Who Are Exiting Publicly Funded Service Programs.
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Patrons--Van Landingham, Christian, Connally and Van Yahres; Senators: Barry, Miller, Y.B. and Potts
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, pursuant to federal and state laws concerning the rights of individuals with disabilities, states are required to provide early identification of such persons and to deliver such individualized and specialized education, training, and related support services as they may require; and

WHEREAS, although certain legal mandates and advancements in medical care and technology have enabled many disabled persons to enjoy longer and more productive lives, many are concerned that the needs of disabled young adults who are no longer eligible for certain publicly funded services are not being met; and

WHEREAS, in 1994, pursuant to HJR 103, the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Continuation of Services to Young Adults Who Are Exiting Publicly Funded Programs was established to address these concerns; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee has determined that each year many young persons with disabilities become ineligible for services designed to accommodate their special needs when they reach the age limit established in the eligibility criteria of certain programs and are released from custodial care or incarceration; and

WHEREAS, because of the chronic nature of their disabilities, many of these persons continue to require special services throughout adulthood; however, appropriate services may not be available or accessible, and programs to ensure a proper transition for these young adults into adulthood may be necessary as required by federal and state laws; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of persons in many localities throughout the state are on long waiting lists for employment, residential, and other essential services, and in some cases these persons may have to wait from five to thirty years for services; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee has considered many of the problems, issues, and policy concerns associated with determining how best to address the needs of such persons, but many more issues need to be examined; and

WHEREAS, the joint subcommittee requires more time to adequately examine these issues, compile and analyze relevant information and data, and assess the potential impact and policy implications of certain proposals before reporting its findings and recommendations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Subcommittee Studying the Continuation of Services to Young Adults Who Are Exiting Publicly Funded Programs be continued. The current membership appointed pursuant to HJR 103 (1994) shall continue to serve. The joint subcommittee shall continue its examination of the issues noted in HJR 103 (1994) as well as those identified in its deliberations for further study, including, but not limited to, (i) the services needed by these young adults and the resources currently available and necessary to meet these needs; (ii) services which should be provided, to whom, and under what conditions; (iii) current transitional planning needs of these young adults; (iv) the needs of families, including foster and adoptive families; (v) the implications of federal legislation (such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) relating to the transition of children with disabilities into adulthood; and (vi) data necessary for fiscal analysis and the development of sound cost estimates for continuing services to disabled young adults.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $5,250.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1996 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for processing legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.