RI Governor’s Commission on Disabilities
Legislation Concerning People with Disabilities
Governor's Commission on Disabilities 2009 Legislative Package
Legislative Letter / Disabled Dispatch Subscription
The Commission's Legislative Victories:
Governor’s Commission on Disabilities 2009 Legislative Package
1. Ensure implementation of the crisis intervention
services for abused non-elderly adults
(18-64) with severe impaired (Public
Law 2006 Chapter 275 Assault on persons with severe impairments or mentally disabled -
penalties - services for adult victims with severe impairments of abuse,
neglect and/or exploitation);
2. Mandate the purchase of accessible taxicabs;
3. Ensure the continuation of RIPTA and RIde service statewide;
4. Monitor and respond to Medicaid Reform proposals to ensure maintenance
of services to individuals with severe disabilities and seek appointment to the
Global (Medicaid) Waiver Advisory Committee; and
5. Support consolidation of school districts, to improve
special education & transportation services
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Governor’s
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The Commission’s Legislative Victories:
Since 1980 the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities has supported and/or drafted and sponsored legislation to improve the o improve the quality of life of the 172,000 Rhode Islanders with Disabilities. The Commission established the John E. Fogarty Memorial Award, in 1987 to recognize the legislative sponsors of these bills. In 1993 the Governor’s Commission on Commission created the Joseph Vanni Memorial Award to recognize the role of the average citizen in the enactment and implementation of laws to improve the quality of life of the children and adults with disabilities.
John E. Fogarty Award
The Governor’s Commission on Disabilities created the John E. Fogarty Memorial Award to recognize the efforts of members of the RI General Assembly in enacting laws to improve the quality of life of the 172,000 Rhode Islanders with Disabilities. The Commission has been awarding its John E. Fogarty Memorial Award, since 1987.
John
E. Fogarty, the US House of Representative member from the 2nd Congressional
District of Rhode Island (1940 -1967) was a strong advocate for the rights of
individuals with disabilities. Congressman Fogarty was a leader,
nationally and in
Joseph Vanni Memorial Award
In 1993 the Governor’s Commission on Commission created the Joseph Vanni Memorial Award to recognize the role of the average citizen in the enactment and implementation of laws to improve the quality of life of the children and adults with disabilities.
Joseph Vanni was the founding
director of the RI Handicapped Action Committee, a social advocacy
organization. Mr. Vanni was also a member of the RI Governor’s Committee
on Employment of the Handicapped, the predecessor agency to the
Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, in the late ‘70s. Mr. Vanni
taught individuals with disabilities how to advocate for themselves, through
group and individual action. Mr. Vanni was the first client of the
state’s Office of Rehabilitation Service to be trained as a community
organizer. Individuals awarded the
Joseph Vanni Memorial Award demonstrate his commitment to social change through
individual involvement, the hallmark of a democratic society.
Joseph Vanni Memorial Award Recipients
1995
To two families for their efforts to enact the Assistive Technology Lemon Law and the Health Insurance - Ban on Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Clauses:
·
Teresa and Jenna Nickerson of Tiverton and
·
Paul and Matthew Caranci of
1997
To several past and present Commissioners for their
years of volunteer service to the State of
·
Edmund Beck,
of
·
Deborah Gray
Clukey, of
·
Isabelle
Frost, of
·
Nancy
Husted-Jensen, of Narragansett (10 years, 8 ½ years as chairperson),
·
Robert
Mullany, of
·
Patricia
Ryherd, of
·
Edward
Schroeder, of
1998
To the 7 persons with disabilities who successfully lobbied for a pay increase for personal care attendants (PCA):
·
Hope Barra of
·
Rebecca Beaton of
·
Cheryl Buco of
·
Jeanne-Marie Campbell of
·
Elaine A. Cardarelli of
·
Stephen Carr of
·
William Conway of
·
Susan Cook of
·
Louis Corvese, Jr. of
·
Alfred DiFiore of
·
Howard Erickson of
·
Karleen Iovino of
·
Joyce Kitchin of
·
Alan Law of Chepachet
·
Scott MacCardle of
·
John Martinelli of
·
Joanne McGuire of
·
Caroline Palmquist of
·
Michael Russo of
·
Kevin Smith of
·
Brian Souder of
·
Joseph Zangrilli of
2003
·
Paul Choquette of
· Joseph Corrente of Cranston, (past commandant of the United Veterans Council and the Disabled American Veterans, RI Chapter) for his advocacy for people with disabilities, veterans and senior citizens for many years.
2004
·
Annette
Bourbonniere of Newport for assisting in
the enactment of legislation that establishes a Medicaid Buy-In Program for
persons with disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and
return to work.
2005
For their successful advocacy for In-state Services for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury:
·
Mark
Aubrey of
·
Casey
Crothers of
·
Pam Doucette of
·
Joan Gardiner of
·
Shelley
Green of
·
Anna C.
Martin of
2006
Fredericka Athanas of East
Providence for her advocacy relating to assistance to people with severe impairments
who are the victims of assaults, abuse and neglect leading to the enactment of 06 H-7226 Sub A Criminal Offenses – Assaults
Sponsor: Rep. Naughton Identical to S 2378 Public Law 2006 Chapter -175 and 06
S-2378 Sub A Criminal Offenses – Assaults Sponsor: Sen. McCaffrey
Public Law 2006 Chapter -268 and
Mrs. Renee
Doran of Providence for her advocacy on behalf of families of adults
with disabilities that lead to amendments to legislation regarding abuse and
neglect of adults with severe impairments, that strengthening protections for
the families of people with disabilities and the enactment of 06 S-2185 as Amended Assaults Sponsor: Sen.
McCaffrey Public Law 2006 Chapter -169 and 06 H-7228 as Amended Assaults
Sponsor: Rep. Naughton Public Law 2006 Chapter -196.
Legislation Supported by the Commission
1980
80 H 7761, Representative Higgins which authorized a $5,250,000 Bond Issue to Finance the 1980 Special Projects Program Relating to Handicapped Accessibility (on behalf of Governor Garrahy)
1981
81 S 287, Senator McAllister, Insurance Discrimination, prohibits health, accident, life, automobile, liability or marine insurance companies from discriminating in rates or contracts on account of disability.
81 S 795, Senator McAllister, Self Service Gas, requires gas stations that have both self service and full service pumps to charge the self-service price to automobiles with handicapped parking permits.
1982
82 S 2011 Sub A, Senator Zuccarelli, Handicapped Parking allows applying for and receiving handicapped parking privilege tags from branch officers of the registry.
82 S 2215, Senator McAllister, Handicapped Parking authorizes the Reciprocity Board to obtain agreements with other states on handicapped parking privileges.
82 H 7306, Representative Lester, Handicapped Parking extends parking privileges to individuals who are blind, raises the fine, and replaces “Special Parking” with “Handicapped Parking” and the access symbol.
82 H 7382, Representative DeLorenzo, Handicapped Parking increases the fine for 2nd and 3rd offenses.
82 H 7584, Representative Sherlock, Education authorizes the Commissioner of Education to resolve disputes concerning the “educational” residence of a child living in a group home.
1983
83
H 5924 Sub A, Representative Roger, Independent Living Services, which
establishes a center for independent living, which would be state funded but
operated by a non-profit consumer directed organization. This provides an alternative to the
institutionalization of persons with severe impairments.
83 H 5330 Sub A, Representative Dambruch, Elections, which requires that polling places be in accessible buildings, whenever it is practicable and does not require additional expenditures.
83 H 6057 Sub A, Representative McKenna, Handicapped Discrimination, which prohibits discrimination by any person or entity doing business in the State, regulated by the State, or receiving financial assistance from the State, on the basis of physical handicap. The RI Commission for Human Rights and the Superior Court of RI are directed to enforce this law, through complaint or civil suit.
83 H 5652, Representative Donnelly, Parking Privileges, which changed the fine for illegally parking in a space reserved for the handicapped to $25 for the first offense; $75 for the second offense; and $100 for every subsequent offense.
83 S 704 Sub A, Senator Quattrocchi, Parking Privileges, which deleted the use of the "Special Parking Privilege" auto plates and replaced those with a portable Handicapped Parking Privilege" card, that is placed on the right hand side of the auto's front dashboard. This card is to be used for parking in reserved spaces; parking at meters free of charge; and parking overtime. On behalf of Governor Garrahy
1984
84 H 7407 Sub B, Representative McKenna, Access to Polling Places, requiring all polling places to be accessible to persons using wheelchairs by Sept. 1986.
84 7208, Representative Cardente, Aftercare, establishes an aftercare or follow up program that requires agencies operating community residential programs for persons with mental health impairments or substance abuse impairments to attempt to contract former clients at least twice within 6 months following discharge.
84 7341 as amended, Representative Carcieri, Educational Subpoenas, authorized the Commissioner to Education or a hearing officer to issue subpoenas to ensure that witnesses attend hearings or produce materials needed for hearings.
84 H 7683 as amended, Representative Lamb Alcohol Treatment provides emergency treatment for persons incapacitated by alcohol.
1985
85 S 388 Amended, Senator Seveney, Motorized Wheelchairs, allows motorized wheelchairs to be used on sidewalks or roadways with the same rights as pedestrians.
85 S 58, Senator Bevilacqua, Criminal Offenses, changed from a misdemeanor to a felony the status of assault and battery upon a mentally retarded or autistic child or adult.
85 H 5730 Sub A, Representative Batastini, Elderly and
Handicapped Persons, changes from September 1 to January 1, 1986 the date
that all polling places in
85 H 5498, Representative Baldelli, Workers' Compensation, reduces the waiting period an employer must wait for reimbursement of workers' compensation payments from the second injury fund from 104 weeks to 52 weeks. The employer would only be responsible for the 1st year's compensation payments rather than the first 2 years, as the law used to read.
85 H 5285, Representative Boeniger, Workers' Compensation, requires employers to continue an employee's health care plan for one year from the date the employee begins receiving workers' compensation benefits.
85 H 6231 Sub A, Representative Teitz, Mail Ballots, allows mobility and vision-impaired voters to vote by mail, without a doctor's certificate of impairment.
85 H 6326 Sub A as Amended, Representative Sherlock, Restrictive Covenants, prohibits the use of restrictive covenants or other private legal means which directly or indirectly prevent the establishment of licensed community residences (group homes) for the mentally impaired. The law would have no effect on cases before the state courts at the time of enactment.
85 H 6395 Amended, Representative Gorham, An Act to Provide Authority to Issue Bonds and Notes to Finance the 1985 Special Capital Development Program, will require a bond referendum for $5,000,000 to continue the state's program of removing barriers to state owned facilities.
85-S 840 sub A, Senator Revens, Governor’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, transformed into the Governor’s Commission on the Handicapped.
1986
Constitutional Amendment # 86-00008 Sub A, Delegate Gemma, Handicapped Rights, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of handicap, gender, or race by state or local governments or entities doing business with state or local government agencies.
86 S 2961, Senator Farnum, Fair Employment Practices, overturns RI Supreme Court decision and requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for handicapped employees and applicants.
86 S 2252 as amended, Senator Sholes, Civil Defense Preparedness, adds the chairperson of the Commission to the Civil Defense Advisory Council
86 S 2361, Senator Hickey, School Controversies, permits the Commissioner of Education to issue interim orders in cases concerning students to ensure that a student’s education is not interrupted pending a hearing.
86 H 8137 Sub A, Representative Sherlock, Public Records, exempts from the public records act, telecommunication device for the deaf printouts.
86 H 7567, Representative Teitz, Mental Health Advocate, permits the Advocate to protect the rights of clients in community-based programs.
John E. Fogarty Memorial Award Recipients
1987
Senator Revens Third Party Notification, on tax sales of homes of delinquent taxpayers with disabilities
Senator Patterson Handicapped Products Procurement establishes a program to assist businesses owned by persons with disabilities, employing persons with disabilities, or rehabilitation agencies to have a preference when bidding on state contracts.
Representative Sherlock Special Education Funding, replaced the 5.5% cap on increases of the state education reimbursement fund with an 8% floor.
Representative Brouseau Handicapped Parking, establishes a 2 year renewal process for handicapped parking permits.
Representative Corkery and Senator Donelan AIDS Testing, requires confidentiality of tests for AIDS and the testing of infants and transplanted body parts.
1988
88 H 7919 Sub A, Representative Indeglia, Handicapped Persons Civil Rights, Extends civil rights protection to individuals with mental impairments.
88 H 9556 Sub A, Representative Gorham, Hotels and Public Places – Handicapped Persons, extends civil rights in public accommodation to persons with mental disabilities.
88 H 9607 Sub A, Representative. Gorham, Fair Housing - Handicapped Persons, extends civil rights in housing to persons with mental disabilities
88 H 7866, Representative Hickey, Summer Intern Program for Students with Disabilities, established a summer internship program for college students with disabilities.
88 H 8353 Sub A, Representative Skeffington, Building Code Standards Committee, added 2 persons with disabilities to the state Building Code Standards and Appeals Committee.
88 H 8368, Representative. Skeffington, Motor Vehicle Parking Restrictions at Curb Cuts, prohibits parking in front of a curb cut.
88 H 8384, Representative Gaschen, Courts Interpreters for the Deaf, eliminates the cap on pay and provides for interpreters to all parties (witnesses, etc.) in court cases, paid for by the state.
88 H 8448, Representative Gorham, Social & Rehabilitation Services, requires Vocational Rehabilitation Services to maintain the confidentiality of applicant/client information.
88 S 2469 Sub A, Senator Patterson, Human Services - Equipment Loans for Handicapped, provides a low interest loan fund for the purchase and or customization of assistive technology.
88 S 2522 as amended, Senator Sasso, Flammable & Combustible Liquids, requires full service gas stations to post signs regarding the procedure for having gas pumped at the self-service price for automobiles operated by a holder of a handicapped parking permit.
1989
89 H 6675 Sub A as amended, Representative Teitz, Accessible Open Meetings, requiring open meeting locations to be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.
89 H 6676 Sub A, Representative Teitz, Voter Registration Cards, revises voter registration procedures to conform to the federal Voting Rights of the Elderly and Handicapped Act.
89 H 7178 Sub B as amended, Representative P. Kennedy, Agency Voter Registration requires the Registry of Motor Vehicles, during 1990 and all-human services agencies thereafter to offer to register to vote any applicant for license or services.
89 H 7736 as amended, Representative Lamb, Capital Development Bonds includes $2 million for handicapped accessibility renovations to state facilities.
89 S 935 as amended, Senator Bevilacqua, Courts Interpreters for the Deaf, provides for qualified interpreters for the deaf, paid by the state in trials.
1990
90 H 9457 sub A, Representative Langevin, Adaptive Equipment for Disabled Persons Program, creating an adaptive equipment program for individuals with disabilities, within the Department of Human Services.
90 S 2375 sub A, Senator Patterson, Privileged Communications - Interpreter, protects the confidentiality of sign language between a hearing impaired person and a sign language interpreter.
90 S 2377 sub A, Senator Patterson, Confidentiality of Telecommunication for the Deaf Relay Calls, requires operators of TTY - telephone relay services to keep conversations confidential.
90 H 9164 Sub A, Representative Teitz, RI Fair Housing Practices Act, making RI’s law compatible with the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act.
90 H 9546 and 90 H 9552 sub A, Lally, Assault of Severely Disabled Persons, making it a felony to assault a person with a disability, regardless of whether it was a physical or mental impairment.
90 S 1901 sub B, Senator Bevilacqua, Abuse and Neglect of Impaired Persons, creates a felony for abuse or neglect of a severely impaired person.
90 S 2156 sub A, Senator Patterson, Juror Qualifications - No Bias toward Handicapped, clarifies the juror qualifications to ensure an individual would not be disqualified solely because of a disability and provides for reasonable accommodations to be made.
90 S 2375 sub A, Senator Patterson, Privileged Communications - Interpreter, protects the confidentiality of sign language between a hearing impaired person and a sign language interpreter.
90 S 2377 sub A, Senator Patterson, Confidentiality of Telecommunication for the Deaf Relay Calls, requires operators of TTY - telephone relay services to keep conversations confidential.
1991
91 H 5996 sub A, Representative Fiorenzano and 91 S 826, Senator Russo, Health Insurance Providers, which prohibits health insurance carriers from discontinuing health care services to individuals with chronic disabilities without giving notice at least 60 days prior to the start of open enrollment periods.
91 H 6849, Representative Jeffrey Teitz, Civil Rights of the Disabled, which made technical changes in RI civil rights laws to make them consistent with the RI Constitutional ban on discrimination on the basis of handicap (both physical and mental impairments) and to require annual reporting on the status of the state's affirmative action plan for employing workers with disabilities in state agencies (PL 91-323);
91 H 6734, Representative James Langevin, Appropriating funding for the Technology Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities program, an additional $6,700
provides for administrative enforcement by the Commission for Human Rights, the Building Code Standards and Appeals Committee and the RI Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of RI's Disability Rights Law (PL 91-176);
91 S 542 sub A, Senator Bevilacqua, Building Code Appeals, which allows individuals with disabilities to appeal decisions of local and state building officials in regards to waivers of the code's accessibility requirements.
91 S 555, Senator John Bevilacqua, Civil Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which made technical changes in RI civil rights laws to make them consistent with the RI Constitutional ban on discrimination on the basis of handicap (both physical and mental impairments) and to require annual reporting on the status of the state's affirmative action plan for employing workers with disabilities in state agencies (PL 91-149).
1992
92 S 1810 Sub A as amended, Senator Bevilacqua, Governor's Commission on the Handicapped, which authorizes the Commission to coordinate compliance with the federal & state disability laws by state agencies (PL 92-215).
92 S 1796 Sub A as amended, Senator Bevilacqua, Discrimination
Against Handicapped, which incorporated the provisions of the
92 S 1751 Sub A, Senator Bevilacqua, Public Buildings - Handicapped Access, which established procedures for ensuring facilities leased by the State were accessible (PL 92-213).
92 S 1741 sub A as amended, Senator Bevilacqua, State Employment of Handicapped Persons, which extended employment discrimination protection to workers with mental disabilities (PL 92-212).
92 H 9228 am, Representative Boyle, State Government Purchases of Products and Services of Handicapped Persons, which provides for small disadvantaged businesses owned and operated by individuals with severe disabilities a preference in the awarding of state government contracts (PL 92-176).
92 H 8235, Representative Salisbury and Senator Gibbs, Personal Property Tax Exemptions - Wheelchair Lift Equipped Motor Vehicles for Individuals with Disabilities, which authorizes city and town councils to exempt from the auto excise tax up to 50% of the value of a motor vehicle which has been specially adapted with a wheelchair lift for use by an individual with a disability (PL 92-396).
92 S 2127 Sub A, Representative Boeniger and Senator Ruggerio, Workers' Compensation - Bar of Claims, which ensured the revised workers compensation law complied with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act protecting injured workers for employment discrimination when they reentered the workforce (PL 92-100).
1993
93 S759, Senator Lyle, Jr., the Discrimination Places of Public Accommodations Act of 1993, amending the Hotel and Public Places and Fair Employment Practices Acts to ensure coverage of people with handicaps.
93 S760, Senator Lyle, Jr., Insurance - Rate Discrimination Act of 1993, prohibiting discrimination in automobile insurance rate on the basis of handicap.
93 S731 sub A, Senator Polisena, Discrimination Against the Handicapped Act of 1993, providing a hearing process for discrimination caused by the physical inaccessibility of facilities.
93 S 7 am, Senator Ruggerio, the Workers' Compensation Bar of Claims Act of 1993, eliminating conflicts between the Workers' Compensation Bar of Claims and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Senator Izzo, the Health Care Coverage for Children and Pregnant Women Act of 1993 providing health care services for pregnant women and children under six, which should reduce the severity and frequency of disability in infants and young children.
93 H 5761, Representative Salisbury, the Auto Insurance Discrimination Act of 1993, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of handicap in the automobile insurance rates.
93 H6580 am, Representative Salisbury, Legislative Commission To Study The Effectiveness Of Services To Disabled Persons.
93 H6972, Representative Langevin, Public Buildings Handicapped Accessibility Act of 1993, codifying in law the process for ensuring all facilities leased by the state are accessible.
1994
94 S2566 am,
Senator Sasso, Handicapped Children's Act of 1994, establishing a system for the smooth transition from school to adult services and self sufficiency by young adults with disabilities and the establishment of a Interagency Transition Council to oversee the system.
94 S2678 am, Senator Polisena, Handicapped Participation in State Activities Act of 1994, clarifying that state government entities are covered by the disability rights law.
94 H8621 sub A, Representative Langevin and Representative Pires, Handicapped Parking Act of 1994, funding accessibility inspections, mediation of disability discrimination complaints, personal care attendant and technology related assistance services by placing an assessment on handicapped parking violations.
1995
95 S 419 as amended, Senator Polisena, Assistive Technology Lemon Law, established minimum standards / procedure for refund, repair or replacement of poor quality assistive technology.
95 H 6542 Sub A as amended, Representative Wasylyk, Health Insurance Policies - Pre Existing Conditions, prohibiting pre-existing condition exclusion clauses in health insurance policies.
1996
1997
97-H 6496
sub A,
97-S 655 sub
A, Senator Blais & Representative Salisbury, Disability Access Credit
for Small Businesses, providing a 10% tax credit for improving accessibility
to a facility or vehicle or providing accommodations for workers or customers
with disabilities.
97-S 1098
Am, Senator Coderre, Guide Dogs, was revised to include all assistive
animals.
97-H 5988 sub A Am, Representative Pires, RI Public Transit Authority, expanding to all-day free rides on RIPTA for low income seniors and persons with disabilities at all times and the definition of "disability" to include persons with mental impairments.
97-S 651 Am,
Senator C. Fogarty, Mary Brennan Fellowship established fellowships for
college students with disabilities.
1998
98-H 7558,
Representative Kelley, Property Tax exemptions to Persons who are
Permanently & Totally Disabled, which expanded exemptions.
98-S 2288,
Senator Blais, Taxation, expanded the Sales, Use and Auto Excise Tax
exemptions for Specially Adapted Automobiles to all persons with severe
physical impairments and their families.
98-S 2771,
Senator Cicilline, Parks and Recreation, extends the Parks &
Recreation Beach Fees Waiver to all individuals who are totally disabled.
98-S 2532
Am, Senator C. Fogarty, Long Term Care Coordinating Council expanded the
membership and responsibility to include younger adults with severe
impairments.
98-H 8006
Am, Representative B. Kennedy, State Building Code, allowing disability
organizations to testify at State Building Code Accessibility Variance Hearings
and Appeals.
98-S 2345
Am, Senator Paiva Weed, General Public Assistance, exempting Wheelchair
Lift Equipped Vehicles from the financial resources limits in General Public
Assistance and Medical Assistance.
98-H 7549 Am Representative Sherlock, Disability Business Enterprise expanded the program to allow businesses owned by former clients of MHRH or the Office of Rehabilitation Services to receive a preference when bidding on state contracts.
98-H 8478
sub A, Senator Fogarty & Representative Sherlock, State Budget, the
increase in the Personal Care Assistants' rate of pay (an increase from
$5.50/hr. to $8.50)
98-H 8478
Substitute A, Senator Tavares, State Budget, funded Real-Time Captioning
of Capitol TV coverage of the General Assembly.
1999
99-H
5866 sub A as Am (PL 1999 Chapter 240), Representative Hetherington, Education
- Adult Education and
99-S
0470 sub A as Am (PL 1999 Chapter 298), Senator Parella, Adult Education,
established an Adult Education Bill of Rights including a set of
legislative findings and clarifies the rights of adult learners to
accommodations and services designed to meet their needs and abilities.
99-S
0634 (PL 1999 Chapter – 283), Senator Coderre, Enhanced
Enforcement of Disability Parking, requires the state police, the
department of environmental management, capital police, department of mental
health, retardation and hospitals, state operated colleges, and the cities and
towns to establish disability parking enforcement enhancement programs no later
than Jan.1, 2000.
99 H 6167
sub A Am, Representative Pires, State Budget, included $200,000 for home
modifications and assistive technology, $84,047 for the Commission for Human
Rights (attorney and investigator), and $3,069,000 for public and paratransit
services
99-H 6437 Am (PL 1999 Chapter 083), Representative Cicilline, Persons with Disabilities and 99-S 0986 as (Floor) Am (PL 1999 Chapter 130), Senator Cicilline Persons with Disabilities, replaced terms that stigmatize people with disabilities (such as "idiot, lunatic, defective, and unnatural) with "people first language" throughout the General Laws.
99-S 0738 (PL 1999 Chapter 331), Senator Connors, Governor's Commission on Disabilities and
99-H 5740, (PL 1999 Chapter 455), Representative Kelley Mary Brennan
Fellowship allows the Governor's Commission on Disabilities to
increase the Mary Brennan Fellowship’s stipend paid college students with
disabilities, beyond the existing $1,500 per semester cap.
99-H 5985 sub A (PL 1999 Chapter 4340, Representatives Fox, Pires and Garvey and Senators Algiere and Enos, State Budget, raised from five to five and one-half cents the amount of gas tax allotted to the RI Public Transit Authority and provided $100,000 for the work-related paratransit pilot project, annually.
2000
00-H 7862 sub A Am, Representative Sherlock, State Budget, included $25/overnight rate for Personal Care Attendants and $100,000 for work related paratransit pilot project.
00-S 3033 sub A as Am (PL 2000 Chapter 200), Senator Izzo, Health Reform, R.I. 2000 and
00-H 8360 sub A as Am (PL 2000 Chapter 229), Representative Martineau, Health Reform, R.I. 2000, stabilized RIteCare; provided a health insurance premium assistance for RIte Care eligible parents with incomes up to 185 % of federal poverty level who have access to employer-based health insurance; revised the small employer health insurance market; while retaining the current ban on exclusions for pre-existing conditions (for persons with 12 consecutive months of prior health insurance coverage).
00-H 7165 Sub A As Amended (PL 2000
Chapter 252), Representative McNamara, Parking Facilities and Privileges
Made it illegal to make, sell or use a counterfeit parking placard to include
any person who offers for sale privilege placard shall be fined $500 and/or
required to perform forty (40) days of community service.
00-H 7772 sub A (PL
2000 Chapter 476), Representative McCauley, Public Buildings - Public Property and
Works, maintains the current standards for
accessibility of facilities leased by the state, requires lessor agencies to
inform the State Building Commission of locations being considered, and clarified
the State Building Commission and the Governor’s Commission on
Disabilities' roles in reviewing and approving code variances and program &
employment access plans.
00-S 2265 as Am (PL 2000
Chapter 499), Senator Cicilline, Civil Rights and
00-H 7210 (PL 2000
Chapter 507), Representative Cambio, Civil Rights of
Persons with Disabilities requires the
determination of disability, for the purpose of the state’s civil rights
laws, be made without considering a persons use of mitigating measures such as
reasonable accommodations, prosthetic devices, medications or auxiliary aids.
2001
01-H 5527 (PL 2001
Chapter 137), Representative Ginaitt, Pharmaceutical
Assistance to the Elderly, added drugs approved for
the treatment of osteoporosis. On behalf of Lt. Governor
Fogarty.
01-H 5529 (PL 2001
Chapter 138), Representative Ginaitt, Pharmaceutical
Assistance to the Elderly, requires the state to pay 100% of
prescription drug costs for RIPAE beneficiaries, once they have paid $1,500
in total co-payments, within each benefit year, for the beneficiaries in the
lowest income eligibility category (on behalf of Lt.
Governor Fogarty).
01-S 0211 as Am (PL 2001 Chapter 200), Senator Connors, Governor's Commission on Disabilities, authorized the Commission to present testimony on behalf of people with disabilities before any federal, state, or local agency or public body in matters that have an adverse effect upon persons with disabilities.
01-S 0714 sub B (PL 2001 Chapter 231), Senator
Coderre, Towns and Cities -- Zoning Ordinances Sponsor:
and
01-H 6005 sub A (PL 2001 Chapter 378), Representative Kilmartin, Towns and Cities -- Zoning Ordinances, requires zoning ordinances to provide standards and requirements for the review and approval of drive-through windows (of any type), including taking into account pedestrian safety and access for people with disabilities.
01-S 0561 sub A (PL 2001 Chapter 241), Senators
Montalbano and Celona, Health Insurance Reform, and
01-H 6231 sub A as Am (PL 2001 Chapter 331), Representative
Barr, Health Insurance Reform, retains
the ban on pre-existing condition exclusions to health insurance coverage under
an individual policy, group health plan or coverage for federal employees.
2002
02
H 8210 sub A (PL 2002 Chapter 1320, Representatives Montanaro and McCauley
& Senator Cellona, Civil Rights of People with Disabilities, transfers the 2 employees working in the handicap
accessibility unit of the State Building Commission, the appropriation for that
staff and the handicap accessibility renovation funds to the Governor's
Commission on Disabilities, in a manner that protects the status of those
employees and the status of any ongoing investigations.
02-H 7732 Article 39 (PL 2002 Chapter - 065 Article 39),
Representatives Fox and Ginaitt
& Senators Izzo and Cicilline, Pharmaceutical Assistance to the
Elderly, expands the category of eligible drugs to include
"additional drugs" which are defined as noninjectable drugs, which
are FDA, approved, except for drugs for cosmetic purposes. Also expands
eligibility to include persons receiving SSDI benefits between the ages of 55
to 65, for the "additional drugs" - allowing them to purchase
prescription drugs at the state's discount (between 13 -17%). On behalf of Lt.
Governor Fogarty
02-H
7732 Article 24 (PL 2002 Chapter – 065 Article 24), Representatives
Fox and Costantino & Senator Izzo, Medical Assistance and Human Services,
directs the department of human services to seek waivers to establish a
pharmacy assistance program to be known as the Healthy Rhode Island Pharmacy
Program to provide prescription and nonprescription pharmaceuticals at low cost
to seniors and persons with disabilities. On behalf of Lt. Governor Fogarty
02-H 6626 sub A, Representative Fox, Financing of
Housing Programs, funds the Neighborhood Opportunities Program
($10,000,000) and the Travelers Aid / Transitional Housing Relocation
($2,500,000).
02-H 8082 sub A (PL 2002 Chapter – 200), Representative W.H. Murphy, Elections, and
02-S 2486 sub A Am (PL 2002 Chapter – 177) Senator Hunter, Elections, authorize the Secretary of State to utilize "state-of-the-art" voting technology to expand special ballot services to a wide range of voters with disabilities (on behalf of Secretary of State Inman).
Public Law 2002 Chapter - 396, Senator Damiani, Parking
Facilities and Privileges, and
02-H 6881 sub A, (PL 2002 Chapter – 214), Representative McNamara, Parking Facilities and Privileges, increases the fine for illegal use of a plate or illegally allowing others to use the plate from $100 to $500, provides for immediate revocation of a plate if the assignee allows its illegal use and establishes a study commission on disability parking.
2003
03-S 378 Sub A (Chapter 404) Senator Maryellen
Goodwin, Pharmaceutical
Assistance for the Elderly, extends
the state
co-payments to people on SSDI between 55 and 65
03-H 5239 Representative Peter T.
Ginaitt, Pharmaceutical
Assistance for the Elderly extends the state co-payments to people on
SSDI between 55 and 65
03-H 5510 (Chapter 359) Representative Joanne M. Giannini Governor’s Commission on Disabilities
03-S 0395 (Chapter 340) Senator Beatrice A. Lanzi Governor’s Commission on Disabilities, creating Hearing Boards at the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities to ensure proper implementation of its new responsibilities [RIGL 42-87-5(b)] to investigate and hear complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of disability
2004
04-H 7503 (Chapter 257) Representative Joanne M. Giannini revised the Disability Business Enterprise Law to reduce from 75% to 60% the ratio of workers with disabilities in a for-profit certified disability business enterprise
04-S 2222 (Chapter 353) Senator Beatrice A. Lanzi revised the Disability Business Enterprise Law to reduce from 75% to 60% the ratio of workers with disabilities in a for-profit certified disability business enterprise.
04-H 7659 (Chapter 304)
Representative Joanne M. Giannini Delinquent And Dependent Children,
implementing the Omstead Decision by requiring DCYF to develop a comprehensive family-centered and
community-based continuum of care in this state for children in the care and
custody of the department or at risk of being in state care
04-S 2863 (Chapter 415)
Senator John
C. Revens Jr. Delinquent
And Dependent Children,
implementing the Omstead Decision by requiring DCYF to develop a comprehensive family-centered and
community-based continuum of care in this state for children in the care and
custody of the department or at risk of being in state care
04-S
2687 (Chapter 378) Senator Elizabeth H. Roberts Adaptive Telephone Loan Program
created a funding mechanism for “NewsLine” providing
telephone access to the text of newspapers to residents, who are blind,
visually impaired, or reading impaired and increasing funding of the Adaptive
Telephone Loan Program
04-H
8527 (Chapter 504) Representative Charlene Lima Adaptive Telephone
Loan Program created a funding mechanism for “NewsLine”
providing telephone access to the text of newspapers to residents, who
are blind, visually impaired, or reading impaired and increasing funding of the
Adaptive Telephone Loan Program
04-S 2886 sub A as Amended (Chapter 357) Senator M. Teresa Paiva-Weed Prescription Drug Discount Program For The Uninsured who are residents of this state between nineteen (19) and sixty-five (65) years of age and have an annual family income at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level, and are uninsured for prescription drugs
04-H 7374 (Chapter 341) Representative Paul E. Moura Prescription Drug Discount Program For The Uninsured who are residents of this state between nineteen (19) and sixty-five (65) years of age and have an annual family income at or below two hundred percent (200%) of the federal poverty level, and are uninsured for prescription drugs
04-H 7404 (Chapter 367) Representative Eileen S. Naughton Community Living Options Act which provides a community living option to all persons who have a disability and are sixty-five (65) years of age or younger in order to allow those individuals the choice to live in a less restrictive community-based environment or their own home environment
04-S 2133 (Chapter 411) Senator William A. Walaska, Community Living Options Act which provides a community living option to all persons who have a disability and are sixty-five (65) years of age or younger in order to allow those individuals the choice to live in a less restrictive community-based environment or their own home environment
04-S 2280 (Chapter 354) Senator June N. Gibbs Medicaid Buy-In Program allowing persons with disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and return to work without losing their Medicaid coverage
04-H 7518 (Chapter 343) Representative Eileen S. Naughton Medicaid Buy-In Program allowing persons with disabilities who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid and return to work without losing their Medicaid coverage
2005
05 S-0801 Sub A (Chapter 351) Senator M. Teresa Paiva-Weed An
Act Relating to Health Care For Elderly And Disabled Residents,
establishing a Medicaid Managed Care option for adults with disabilities, which
will assist families in navigating through the chronic health care systems
05 H-5734 Sub A (Chapter
394) Representative Eileen S. Naughton An Act Relating to Human Services --
Health Care For Elderly And Disabled Residents Act, establishing a Medicaid
Managed Care option for adults with disabilities, which will assist families in
navigating through the chronic health care systems
05
H-5270 (Chapter 117) Senators Leo R. Blais &
Stephen D. Alves An Act Making Appropriations For The Support Of The
State For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2006, funding & licensure to
create the first in-state transitional housing/treatment services for persons
with traumatic brain injury
05
H-5270 (Chapter 117) Senators Hanna M. Gallo &
Stephen D. Alves An Act Making Appropriations For The Support Of The
State For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2006, providing a cost of living adjustment for (Medicaid) personal care
attendants
05 H-5270 (Chapter 117) Representative Steven M. Costantino & Thomas Slater An Act Making Appropriations
For The Support Of The State For The Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2006,
providing a cost of living adjustment for disability service (Medicaid)
providers
05 H-5270 (Chapter 117) Representative Gordon D. Fox, Senator John F.
McBurney & Senator Walter S. Felag Jr. An
Act Making Appropriations For The Support Of The State For The Fiscal Year
Ending June 30, 2006, funding for Neighborhood
Opportunities Program, providing accessible and affordable housing