A Senate committee killed a bill today that would have allowed school security officers to have stun guns, batons or pepper spray. HB 1309 (Cole) had been approved by subcommittee earlier this week. Advocates raised concerns that the approved weapons would be used against children and especially against children with disabilities. The patron stated, in...
Author: disAbility Law Center of Virginia
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February 18, 2015 – Training Center Bills
The last of the bills that would impede the closure of the training centers was killed in subcommittee yesterday. SB 1446 (Miller) was defeated in a subcommittee of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions committee on Tuesday, February 17th. As originally drafted, the bill would have prohibited the development of a new discharge plan for...
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February 17, 2015 – Hospitals and Sign Language Interpreter
The Virginia General Assembly is entering the final stretch now, with just over a week to go. Delegate Bobby Orrock introduced a bill at the beginning of the session that would have required hospitals to provide sign language interpreters or other effective communication to patients who are deaf or hard of hearing. The original bill,...
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February 12, 2015 – “Observation Status”
The Legislature considered two identical bills concerning a hospital’s duty to notify a patient when they are on “observation” status only and have not been formally admitted to a hospital. Advocates for the elderly and for people with disabilities noted that some hospitals have a practice of placing patients on “observation” status, rather than officially...
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February 10, 2015 – Budget Amendments
The two “money” committees released their proposed amendments to the Governor’s budget on Sunday, February 8th. We expect to see the details of those proposals over the next few days, as legislative services releases what are known as the “half sheets.” Both the Senate and the House must debate and vote on the proposed amendments...
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February 9, 2015 – Children’s Issues
During the General Assembly session, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is available to assist policy makers as they consider issues that affect persons with disabilities. The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is, through zealous and effective advocacy and legal representation, to protect and advance the legal, human and civil rights of...
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February 6, 2015 – Auxiliary Grants
During the General Assembly session, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is available to assist policy makers as they consider issues that affect persons with disabilities. The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is, through zealous and effective advocacy and legal representation, to protect and advance the legal, human and civil rights of...
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February 5, 2015 – Seclusion and Restraint in public schools
Legislation requiring the state Department of Education to develop regulations concerning the use of restraints in public schools is moving quickly through both houses of the Virginia General Assembly. The bills require the regulations to include definitions, criteria for use, restrictions for use, training requirements, notification requirements, reporting requirements, and follow-up requirements when seclusion or...
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February 4, 2015 – Training Center Bills
The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is, through zealous and effective advocacy and legal representation, to protect and advance the legal, human and civil rights of people with disabilities, to combat and prevent abuse, neglect and discrimination, and to promote independence, choice and self-determination by persons with disabilities. We continue to monitor...
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February 2, 2015 – Mental Health Treatment for Objecting Minors
On Friday afternoon, the House subcommittee on mental health approved an amended bill relating to a minor’s right to object to mental health treatment. HB 1717, patroned by Delegate LeMunyon, would have extended the amount of time a child can be held without a hearing. Currently, if an adolescent objects to treatment, he can be...