Greater independence

People with disabilities should be able to live with minimal constraints instead of minimal freedoms. That’s the principle behind proposed legislation that would establish a state task force to help create a new system of supports for individuals with a disability.

Sponsored by Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) HF1339 would create the My Life, My Choices Task Force to study issues related to helping individuals with a disability achieve greater independence and then propose legislation that helps enact reforms.

The House Health and Human Services Reform Committee approved the bill April 12 and sent it to the House Government Operations and Elections Committee. Its companion, SF1101, sponsored by Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie), awaits action by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

“We thought that it was quite important to help the state imagine a new system of supports for persons with disabilities that would put the person with disabilities at the center of the work, that would consolidate funding streams and allow a person with disabilities themselves to decide what services would be provided by whom and under what conditions,” said Lutheran Social Services CEO Mark Peterson.

“It’s an exciting hallmark that we have even come to a time to have a bill with this title with this subject,” said Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake). “I remember when it used to be ‘my institution, no choices.’”

Rep. Diane Loeffler (DFL-Mpls) wants to see more people with disabilities on the task force. The bill’s current language states that one person with a disability and two people who are family members of an individual with a disability would be appointed to the task force.

Abeler said he plans to work with Loeffler to draft amended language that reflects her concerns.

Other members of the task force would include the lieutenant governor, a representative from the Department of Human Services and representative from the business community and several professionals who work to advocate for persons with disabilities.