SB972: Training centers; imposes moratorium on closure, requirements of settlement agreement.

SENATE BILL NO. 972

Offered January 9, 2013
Prefiled January 8, 2013
A BILL to impose a moratorium on the closure of training centers until such time as the General Assembly shall adopt a plan for the closure of training centers to satisfy the requirements of the settlement agreement between the Commonwealth and the United States Department of Justice.
Patrons-- Black and Favola

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  1. That any existing plan for the closure of training centers for individuals with intellectual disability in the Commonwealth shall be suspended, and a moratorium on the closure of training centers imposed, so that no training center shall be closed until such time as the General Assembly adopts a plan for the closure of training centers that satisfies the requirements of the settlement agreement between the Commonwealth and the U.S. Department of Justice, approved and entered as an order of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on August 23, 2012. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources shall submit a preliminary plan for the closure of four of the Commonwealth's five training centers and for the transition of individuals residing in training centers to community-based care, as required by the settlement agreement, to the General Assembly for consideration no later than one year after the effective date of the settlement agreement. Such plan shall be developed in consultation with the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Finance, and shall set forth recommendations for the closure of training centers, including recommendations related to the timing of such closures. The Secretary shall ensure adequate opportunity for stakeholder participation and input in the development of the preliminary plan.