Current Legislation
Talking Points: a summary sheet tool for you to download and share with your legislators.
Two page "Talking Points" summary sheet describing the bills being carried or supported by MCDHH this session. This sheet also lists programs and services in need of your advocacy to protect and prevent cuts. [21.71KB]
HF 166 (Rep. Ward) and SF 33 (Senator Olseen) – PASSED & SIGNED INTO LAW
A bill for deaf people to once again drive Type III School Buses by fixing a law passed in 2008 that had the unintentional consequence of barring school staff who are deaf from driving Type III vehicles. By passing this bill, driving privileges will be reinstated. Read more
HF 1212 (Rep. Brown) and SF 1107 (Senator Wiger) – PASSED & SIGNED INTO LAW
A bill requiring the Department of Education to report outcomes by age and region of deaf and hard of hearing students. The state spends $30 million on the education of deaf and hard of hearing students but we have no aggregate data to see which schools and or regions are meeting state performance standards. The state currently mandates that this information be provided for children birth to three. This bill will require that the information also be provided for K-12.
HF 1744 (Rep. Hilty) and SF 1600 (Senator Rest) – PASSED & SIGNED INTO LAW
A bill requiring that technology be made accessible. Make state videos accessible – Websites and Software and Hardware. Many state websites are not accessible. Online videos are not captioned, live streaming of state meetings is not captioned, and some software for employees is not accessible to people who are deafblind. We need the state to make standards and guidelines (508 and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 WCAG 2.0) so all state websites are accessible for visitors and employees. When these guidelines are followed studies show they are more usable for all people.
HF1819 (Rep. E. Murphy) and SF1512 (Senator Ropes) – PASSED & SIGNED INTO LAW
A bill was introduced that will give permanent funding to Parent Guides by adding $3 to the blood spot fee that is charged each time a baby is born. About $3 is enough to support the program for a year. Trained parents provide support and unbiased information to parents with babies newly identified as deaf or hard of hearing. The bill has a fiscal note of about $140,000.
We initiated the process, while Capitol Hill Associates are doing much of the session work for this bill. We hope it passes. Their funds run out in 2010.
HF 872 (Rep. Marquart) and SF 0751 (Senator Clark) – PASSED & SIGNED INTO LAW
A bill by Minnesota Council of Nonprofits protecting charitable tax exemptions for Minnesota’s nonprofit organizations; including DeafBlind Services of Minnesota, Lifetrack Resources (MEC), People Inc., Thompson Hall, and more. Read more
HF1198 (Rep. Davnie) and SF0971 (Senator Dibble) – PASSED, then Vetoed by the Governor
A bill we are helping to support for school harassment, bullying, intimidation and violence policies required in schools Read more
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