House Bill 1407

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A MISSISSIPPI CLEARINGHOUSE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP; TO PRESCRIBE THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CLEARINGHOUSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following terms shall have the meaning ascribed in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Clearinghouse" means the Mississippi Clearinghouse for People with Disabilities.

(b) "Director" means the Director of the Mississippi Clearinghouse for People with Disabilities.

(c) "People with disabilities" means individuals who have physical, sensory, cognitive or mental characteristics, such as those listed under the definition of "handicapped person" in regular 28CFR 41.31 (b) for the implementation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Public Law 93-112).

SECTION 2. (1) There is created the Mississippi Clearinghouse for People with Disabilities to promote and facilitate the full participation of, and the creation and assurance of equal opportunities for, all people with disabilities.

(2) The goals and objectives of the clearinghouse shall include, but are not limited to, or provided in any priority order, the following:

(a) To be a comprehensive clearinghouse of information, initial point of contact and confidential case tracking service for all people with disabilities related to potential service programs (Including contact points, eligibility criteria, service scope, budgets, waiting list), disability rights and relevant events.

(b) To serve as a disability minority advocate to identify the issues and concerns pertaining to the rights, needs and capabilities of all persons with disabilities and to work to empower those individuals to take as much control of their own lives as possible.

(c) To collect, analyze and synthesize disability-related data (e.g., numbers and types of disability, in the state, their economic/school/employment/long-term care status) for use by state agencies, universities and colleges, disability organizations and private citizens.

(d) To advise the Governor, the Legislature, the Mississippi congressional delegation, state agencies, the business community, organized labor and other public and private groups and the general public on disability issues and concerns, and to make recommendations to address those identified matters, with emphasis on increasing opportunities for independence and employment.

(e) To coordinate and conduct public relations activities to spotlight the skills and capabilities of people with disabilities to emphasize the actual and potential contributions of people with disabilities.

(f) To establish such relationships with state agencies, especially those that serve the disability community, consumer/advocacy groups, local governments, private industry, educational institutions, labor and other private organizations, as may be needed to enhance equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

(g) To submit an annual report to the Governor and the Legislature that reflects input form the Sate Department of Education, State Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Division of Medicaid, State Department of Mental Health, State Department of Rehabilitation Services, State Independent Living Council, Centers For Independent Living and disability support and advocacy organizations. The report will provide:

(i) Recommendations to address the unmet needs of people with disabilities in Mississippi;

(ii) An overall state government/private sector service overview of programs and services for people with disabilities in Mississippi;

(iii) Information on public and private groups that are providing equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.

(h) To carry out activities assigned by the clearinghouse, to further the mission of the clearinghouse and the quality of life of citizens with disabilities.

(3) The clearinghouse will be administered by the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens With Disabilities (MCPD). the director of the MCPD will serve as the MCPD Director and may employ necessary support staff, not to exceed four (4) persons. The Department of Finance and Administration may contract with MCPD. The staffing of the clearinghouse also may be supplemented by use of interns and volunteers from the community. The clearinghouse staff shall use the following classifications for selection: The director shall be paid according to the job classification of a Division Director II as defined by the State Personnel Board. The director shall have a least ten (10) years experience in nongovernmental disability advocacy, and at least five (5) years experience in disability advocacy management. Any administration staff shall meet the qualifications and be paid according to the job classification of a Division Director I as defined by the State Personnel Board. Any secretarial staff shall meet the qualifications and be paid according to the job classification of an administrative assistant IV as defined by the Mississippi State Personnel Board.

(4) The state Department of Education, State Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Division of Medicaid, State Department of Mental Health and State Department of Rehabilitation Services shall assist the clearinghouse to carry out its work. These representatives shall provide the clearinghouse resources to facilitate their planning and coordinating efforts.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.