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1995 SESSION

LD8837761
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 333
Offered January 23, 1995
Requesting the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to establish an Assistive Technology Loan Program Task Force for the purpose of developing a plan and to seek out private businesses to provide support for the development of the Assistive Technology Loan Program.
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Patrons--Woods and Miller, Y.B.; Delegates: Diamonstein, Heilig and Mayer
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Referred to the Committee on Rules
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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 was established to address the services, needs, availability of services, costs, and quality of services for persons with physical and sensory disabilities; and

WHEREAS, the 1992 Commission Report specified three recommendations related to assistive technology, one of which calls for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to “direct the Department of Rehabilitative Services, in coordination with the Virginia Council on Assistive Technology, to complete a study on developing a mechanism to establish an adaptive equipment loan financing program...;” and

WHEREAS, in 1993 the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) completed nationwide research across 31 states on loan financing practices for persons of low and middle income and found a leveraged loan interest buy-down model which incorporates a public/private partnership is the most applicable to the needs of Virginia’s citizens with disabilities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Secretary of Health and Human Resources establish an Assistive Technology Loan Program Task Force for the purpose of developing a coordinated plan for the implementation of the Assistive Technology Loan Fund. The Task Force shall include but not be limited to representation from the following private and public entities: consumers of assistive technology; banking; corporate business; the Virginia Council on Assistive Technology; the Virginia Department of the Treasury; Centers for Independent Living; and the Virginia Assistive Technology System.

The Task Force shall recommend, along with other issues deemed pertinent, to the Secretary: (i) sources for the administration of the lending component for the Loan Fund by private banking sources; (ii) private corporate and foundation resources for leveraged investment and potential contributions to the Fund; and (iii) a plan for pursuing the selection of a private not-for-profit organization or foundation to provide for consumer assistance and consultation within the Loan Program.

The Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall provide staff support for the study. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Secretary, upon request.

The Office of the Secretary 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.