House Bill 1407

(As Passed the House)

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 meanings 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 and initial point of contact 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 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;

(c) 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;

(d) To coordinate and conduct public information activities to spotlight the skills and capabilities of people with disabilities to emphasize the actual and potential contributions of people with disabilities; and

(e) 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.

(3) The clearinghouse shall be administered a statewide nonprofit cross disability advocacy organization selected by the Department of Finance and Administration after it issues and reviews a request for proposals from statewide nonprofit cross disability organizations to administer the clearinghouse.

(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 may assist the clearinghouse to carry out its work. These agencies may provide the clearinghouse with resources to facilitate its planning and coordinating efforts.

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