Bill Allan • Disability Policy Consortium

Generated by InstaTrac • Date: 11/05/2007 • © 2007 InstaTrac

DPC_Deaf_HH_Legislation

Bill #:	HB135 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Creating a Means for Tracking the Unmet Need of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Summary:	Establishes and regulates the operation and use of a system of tracking the unmet service needs of individuals with developmental disabilities in Massachusetts; directs the The Office of Disabilities and Community Services at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to maintain said system; articulates agencies that submit information to said system.
Sponsor:	Representative Tom Sannicandro (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Civil Rights; Disabilities; Human Services; Mental Retardation
Related:	None
Status:	House Committee on Ways and Means (HWM)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Children and Families 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-06-01 - Hearing Scheduled JCF - 06/27/2007 10:30 AM B-1 2007-10-24 - H Reported favorably by Joint Committee on Children and Families 2007-10-31 - H Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means

Bill #:	HB548 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Relative to a Grant Program for Deaf and Sign Language Studies in the Higher Education Colleges of the Commonwealth.
Summary:	Establishes the William Hoy Council for Deaf Studies and Workforce Development inside the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Articulates membership of said council. Defines said council’s purpose.
Sponsor:	Representative Tom Sannicandro (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Civil Rights; Disabilities; Education; Higher Education
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Higher Education (JHE)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Education 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-04-02 - H Discharged and referred to Joint Committee on Higher Education 2007-04-12 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-03-23 - Hearing Scheduled JHE - 10/02/2007 11:00 AM A-2

Bill #:	HB559 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Establishing a Bill of Rights for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Summary:	Amends various provisions relative to the education of deaf and hard of hearing students; directs the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing, so-called, to certify the sign language or oral/aural communications proficiency of professionals and para-professionals providing direct or related services under individual education plans in the public schools; establishes competence in sign language or oral/aural communications and competence in interpreting as requirements for certification as a teacher of said students; requires said teachers to demonstrate continuing competency; articulates the rights of deaf and hard of hearing students, including, but not limited to the right to screening, intervention and specially trained instructors; establishes and regulates the membership of an advisory council on the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; articulates components of annual reports by said council, including, but not limited to the number of certified teachers for deaf or hard of hearing students, and the number of students accepting specialized instruction.
Sponsor:	Representative John W. Scibak (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Education; Special Education; Civil Rights; Disabilities
Related:	2005-2006: HB1104
Status:	Joint Committee on Education (JED)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Education 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-04-13 - Hearing Scheduled JED - 10/16/2007 1:00 PM A-1

Bill #:	HB1117 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Relative to Group Purchasing of Health Insurance for Private Sector Human Service Workers
Summary:	None
Sponsor:	Representative Martin J. Walsh (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Insurance; Health & Dental; Human Services; Labor; Private Sector Employees
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Financial Services (JFS)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-06-12 - Hearing Scheduled JFS - 06/27/2007 2:00 PM A-2

Bill #:	HB1243 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Creating a State Public Housing Operating and Modernization Authority.
Summary:	Establishes the Public Housing Operating and Modernization Authority as the body politic and independent public agency for the purpose of financing state-aided public housing projects; entitles said authority to the duties, powers and responsibilities of the Department of Housing and Community Development in regards to state-aided public housing including the authority to issue bonds, use banks, receive 20-year no-interest loans, the right to enter local contracts for making advances and to issue reimbursements to housing authorities; repeals provisions providing compensation for individuals working on projects commenced prior to 1965; directs said department to assist and report to the PHOMA; requires payments made to tenants for housing authority member services be included in determinations of income for rent calculations; entitles PHOMA to any surplus in a housing authority budget relative to maintenance and operation; directs PHOMA to maintain financial transparency; establishes a state-aided public housing advisory board to assist PHOMA; directs the Mass Housing Partnership Fund to appropriate mortgages and letters of credit to PHOMA for up to $100 million; authorizes the Mass Housing Finance Agency to invest and transfer 10 per cent or $10 million of returns to PHOMA; establishes a bureau of housing for the disabled within the Department of Housing and Community Development; prohibits said department’s regulations from superseding state law on selection of tenants based on local preference, emergency and veteran status; repeals public housing elderly pet program.
Sponsor:	Representative Kevin G. Honan (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Housing & Real Estate; Affordable Housing; Landlord & Tenant; State Govt; Appropriations/Annual Budget; Civil Rights; Disabilities; Veterans
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Housing (JHO)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Housing 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-04-09 - Hearing Scheduled JHO - 04/24/2007 10:00 AM B-2

Bill #:	HB1247 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Creating the Executive Office of Housing and Community Development.
Summary:	None
Sponsor:	Representative Kevin G. Honan (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Housing & Real Estate; Affordable Housing; Finance; Civil Rights; Disabilities
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Housing (JHO)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Housing 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-04-09 - Hearing Scheduled JHO - 04/24/2007 10:00 AM B-2

Bill #:	HB2094 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act to Provide for the Development of Minimum Disinfecting, Cleaning, and Maintenance Requirements for Schools, Day Care Centers, and public Buildings by the Department of Public Health.
Summary:	Submits the clean schools and buildings act; establishes requirements for the proper disinfection and cleaning of all public building, elementary and secondary school, and day care center spaces; articulates mandatory cleaning schedules and standards.
Sponsor:	Representative Jennifer L Flanagan (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Health; Public & Community Health; Education; School Facilities; Disease; Human Services; Families & Children
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Public Health (JPH)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Public Health 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-04-24 - Hearing Scheduled JPH - 10/10/2007 10:00 AM A-1

Bill #:	HB3374 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act to Establish Reduced Telephone Rates for Deaf Residents of the Commonwealth.
Summary:	None
Sponsor:	Representative Angelo M. Scaccia (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Utilities; Civil Rights; Disabilities; Telecommunications
Related:	2005-2006: HB3300
Status:	Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (JTU)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-04-11 - Hearing Scheduled JTU - 05/15/2007 10:30 AM A-2

Bill #:	HB3855 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Providing Health Insurance Coverage for Cochlear Implants in Children
Summary:	Requires coverage for operations to implant cochlear implants for children and post treatment services.
Sponsor:	Representative James B. Eldridge (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Health; Health Care Products; Human Services; Families & Children; Civil Rights; Disabilities
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Financial Services (JFS)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H Filed 2007-01-10 - H Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services 2007-01-10 - S Senate concurred in committee referral 2007-10-05 - Hearing Scheduled JFS - 11/14/2007 1:00 PM A-1

Bill #:	SB326 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Establishing a Deaf Children's Bill of Rights
Summary:	Amends various provisions relative to the education of deaf and hard of hearing students; directs the commission for the deaf and hard of hearing, so-called, to certify the sign language or oral/aural communications proficiency of professionals and para-professionals providing direct or related services under individual education plans in the public schools; establishes competence in sign language or oral/aural communications and competence in interpreting as requirements for certification as a teacher of said students; requires said teachers to demonstrate continuing competency; articulates the rights of deaf and hard of hearing students, including, but not limited to the right to screening, intervention and specially trained instructors; establishes and regulates the membership of an advisory council on the education of children who are deaf or hard of hearing; articulates components of annual reports by said council, including, but not limited to the number of certified teachers for deaf or hard of hearing students, and the number of students accepting specialized instruction.
Sponsor:	Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Education; Special Education; K-12; Human Services
Related:	2005-2006: SB1104
Status:	Joint Committee on Education (JED)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Education 2007-01-10 - S Filed 2007-01-10 - H House concurred in committee referral 2007-04-13 - Hearing Scheduled JED - 10/16/2007 1:00 PM A-1

Bill #:	SB566 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	To Improve Education and Workforce Opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals
Summary:	None
Sponsor:	Senator Edward Augustus (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (JLW)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - H House concurred in committee referral 2007-01-10 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development 2007-01-10 - S Filed

Bill #:	SB589 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	Providing Coverage for Hearing Aids
Summary:	Directs the contributory group blanket or general health insurance policy for public employees, coverage available under workers compensation, health insurance policies and policies issued by non-profit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for hearing aids.
Sponsor:	Senator Jack A. Hart (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Insurance; Health; Labor; Worker Compensation; Hospitals
Related:	2005-2006: SB584
Status:	Joint Committee on Financial Services (JFS)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services 2007-01-10 - S Filed 2007-01-10 - H House concurred in committee referral 2007-10-05 - Hearing Scheduled JFS - 11/14/2007 1:00 PM A-1

Bill #:	SB1943 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	An Act Relative to the TDD/TTY System
Summary:	Amends various provisions relative to telephone companies and required equipment and services for disabled subscribers; requires common carriers to provide an enhanced voice carry over service that allows disabled persons to receive word-for-word captions of their telephone conversations on a captioned SCPE; exempts dual party TDD/TTY telephone message relay service centers from said provisions.
Sponsor:	Senator Michael W. Morrissey (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Civil Rights; Disabilities; Utilities; Telecommunications
Related:	2005-2006: SB2345
Status:	Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy (JTU)
Progress:
History:	2007-01-10 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy 2007-01-10 - S Filed 2007-01-10 - H House concurred in committee referral 2007-04-11 - Hearing Scheduled JTU - 05/15/2007 10:30 AM A-2

Bill #:	SD2363 of 2007-2008 Session
Title:	Relative to providing coverage for hearing aids for children.
Summary:	None
Sponsor:	Senator Robert A. Havern (D)
Co-Sponsors:	None
Subjects:	Human Services; Families & Children
Related:	None
Status:	Joint Committee on Financial Services (JFS)
Progress:
History:	2007-05-31 - S Filed 2007-06-04 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Rules 2007-06-26 - S Referred to Joint Committee on Financial Services 2007-11-05 - H House concurred in committee referral