HB743: Statewide Independent Living Fund; created, report.

HOUSE BILL NO. 743
Offered January 11, 2006
Prefiled January 10, 2006
A BILL to amend and reenact § 51.5-25.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to the Statewide Independent Living Council.
Patrons-- Ebbin; Senator: Ticer

Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 51.5-25.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 51.5-25.1. Statewide Independent Living Council and Statewide Independent Living Fund created.

A. The Statewide Independent Living Council is hereby created to jointly plan with the Department of Rehabilitative Services activities carried out under Title VII of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 796 et seq.) and to provide advice to the Department regarding such activities. Membership and duties shall be constructed according to federal provisions. The Department of Rehabilitative Services shall provide staff support for the Council.

B. The Council shall have authority to accept gifts, donations, and bequests on behalf of the Council from any source and to deposit all moneys received in the Statewide Independent Living Fund. The Council shall submit to the Governor an annual report of all gifts, donations, and bequests accepted; the names of the donors; and the respective amounts contributed by each donor.

C. There is hereby created in the state treasury a special nonreverting fund to be known as the Statewide Independent Living Fund (the Fund). The Fund shall be established on the books of the Comptroller. All moneys appropriated to the fund or received from any source pursuant to subsection B shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Fund. Interest earned on moneys in the Fund shall remain in the Fund and be credited to it. Any moneys remaining in the Fund, including interest thereon, at the end of each fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain in the Fund. Moneys in the Fund shall be used solely for the purposes of carrying out activities enumerated in the State Plan for Independent Living, developed pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act. Expenditures and disbursements from the Fund shall be made by the State Treasurer on warrants issued by the Comptroller upon written request signed by the Commissioner based upon recommendations from the Council.