Pennsylvania SB 592: An Act relating to the delivery of services and programs to individuals with disabilities; conferring powers and duties on the Office of the Governor; establishing the Office for Individuals with Disabilities and the Advisory Committee for Individuals with Disabilities; and providing for the powers and duties of the office and the committee and for funding of the office and the committee.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 600
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 592
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, STREET, KEARNEY, COMITTA, FONTANA,
HAYWOOD, SCHWANK, COSTA, MILLER AND MUTH, APRIL 9, 2025
REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 9, 2025
AN ACT
Relating to the delivery of services and programs to individuals
with disabilities; conferring powers and duties on the Office
of the Governor; establishing the Office for Individuals with
Disabilities and the Advisory Committee for Individuals with
Disabilities; and providing for the powers and duties of the
office and the committee and for funding of the office and
the committee.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1. Preliminary Provisions
Section 101. Short title.
Section 102. Legislative policy and declaration.
Section 103. Definitions.
Chapter 3. Office for Individuals with Disabilities
Section 301. Establishment.
Section 302. Powers and duties of office.
Section 303. Power to contract.
Chapter 5. Advisory Committee for Individuals with Disabilities
Section 501. Establishment.
Section 502. Membership.
Section 503. Powers and duties of committee.
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Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 701. Funding.
Section 702. Effective date.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
CHAPTER 1
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 101. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Office for
Individuals with Disabilities Act.
Section 102. Legislative policy and declaration.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) An individual with disability and the individual's
family and guardians should have access to a full range of
services and programs, including equal access to all services
and programs provided for those without disabilities, as well
as individualized and specialized services that meet the
unique needs of individuals without discrimination.
(2) An individual with disability and the individual's
family and guardians are often underserved. They have often
been denied access to individualized and specialized services
available to the community at large and have been denied
services necessary to their health, well-being, independence
and advancement.
(3) An individual with disability who could live and
work in the community may live in an institution at State
expense due to inadequate funding for community support
services. The result is a loss both to the individual with
disability and to this Commonwealth.
(4) An individual with disability and the individual's
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family and guardians should have the opportunity to choose
and direct the services and programs provided to them, and
the community of individuals with disabilities should direct
the development and operation of the delivery system.
(5) Increased availability of community support services
and programs will enable individuals with disabilities and
the individuals' family and guardians to be more independent
and productive, to remain in their homes and communities and
to more fully exercise their rights and responsibilities as
citizens.
(6) Services and programs provided by the Commonwealth
to individuals with disabilities and the individuals' family
and guardians should be provided in a manner that promotes
independent living, enables individuals to obtain and
maintain employment and supports individuals in their homes
and communities.
(7) A State-level office and advisory committee is
needed to advise and assist the Governor and the General
Assembly in developing policies addressing the concerns of
individuals with disabilities and the individuals' family and
guardians.
(8) Access to the office will enable individuals with
disabilities and the individuals' family and guardians to
have their concerns and issues addressed.
Section 103. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Committee." The Advisory Committee for Individuals with
Disabilities established under this act.
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"Consumer control." The right of an individual with
disability or an individual acting on behalf of an individual
with disability to maintain power and authority over decisions
affecting the provision of services, programs and community
activities.
"Disability services." Services and programs provided to
individuals with disabilities or the individuals' family or
guardians to enhance the ability of individuals with
disabilities to live or work independently and to pursue their
rights and responsibilities as citizens.
"Functional limitation." A limitation that affects one or
more of the following activities of daily living:
(1) Mobility.
(2) Communication.
(3) Self-care.
(4) Work.
(5) Recreat