Massachusetts H 112: An Act affirming inclusion of people with disabilities on commissions of the Commonwealth

Bill Text

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 558 FILED ON: 1/13/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 112

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Denise Provost
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act affirming inclusion of people with disabilities on commissions of the Commonwealth.
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PETITION OF:

NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: DATE ADDED:
Denise Provost 27th Middlesex 1/13/2017
Michael J. Barrett Third Middlesex 1/13/2017
José F. Tosado 9th Hampden 1/13/2017
Christine P. Barber 34th Middlesex 1/13/2017
Michelle M. DuBois 10th Plymouth 1/13/2017
Mike Connolly 26th Middlesex 1/13/2017
Paul R. Heroux 2nd Bristol 1/13/2017
Barbara A. L'Italien Second Essex and Middlesex 1/13/2017
Sal N. DiDomenico Middlesex and Suffolk 1/13/2017

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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 558 FILED ON: 1/13/2017
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 112
By Ms. Provost of Somerville, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 112) of Denise
Provost and others for the establishment of a permanent commission on the status of people with
disabilities. Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 120 OF 2015-2016.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________
In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)
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An Act affirming inclusion of people with disabilities on commissions of the Commonwealth.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:

1 SECTION 1. Section 66 of chapter 3 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012
2 Official Edition , is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
3 Section 70. (a) There shall be established a permanent commission on the status of people
4 with disabilities comprised of 17 persons including; 1 person appointed by the president of the
5 senate; 1 person appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and the following
6 persons appointed by the governor: 1 person nominated by the joint committee on children,
7 families and persons with disabilities; 6 persons nominated by local and regional disability rights
8 organizations; 1 person nominated by the architectural access board; 1 person nominated by the
9 Massachusetts office on disability; and 6 persons from among the following industries:

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10 communications, education, architecture, assistive technologies, arts and engineering who have
11 demonstrated competence in universal or inclusive design within their respective industries.
12 The commission shall be an independent agency of the commonwealth and shall not be
13 subject to the control of any other department or agency.
14 (b) Members of the commission shall be drawn from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age,
15 disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and socio-economic backgrounds
16 from throughout the commonwealth and shall have experience working toward improving the
17 status of people with disabilities in society. Members of the commission shall be subject to the
18 provisions of chapter 268A as they apply to special state employees.
19 (c)(1) Members shall serve terms of 3 years and until their successors are appointed.
20 (2) Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the original
21 appointing or nominating authority for the balance of the unexpired term. If the position was
22 filled by a nominating body, the replacement member shall be selected from solicited
23 nominations.
24 (3) Nominations for vacancies in the membership shall be solicited between January 1
25 and February 15 of each year through an open application process using a uniform application
26 that is widely distributed throughout the state. Appointments shall be announced on April 1 of
27 each year.
28 (4) The commission shall elect from among its members a chair, a vice-chair, a treasurer
29 and any other officers it deems necessary to carry out its mission.

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30 (5) The members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but
31 shall be reimbursed for any usual and customary expenses incurred in the performance of their
32 duties.
33 (d) An executive director shall be selected by the commission, and shall hire staff,
34 subject to appropriations. The executive director shall be qualified by his or her
35 accomplishments in eradicating barriers to equality for people with disabilities, in organizing
36 research and reports, and by having demonstrated leadership abilities. The executive director
37 shall not simultaneously serve as a member of the commission on the status people with
38 disabilities.
39 (f) The commission shall work to foster strategic integration of disability diversity within
40 all sectors of t