The 2018 Legislative Session kicked off this last Tuesday, February 20, and is constitutionally required to adjourn at midnight, Monday, May 21, leaving exactly 90 days of the legislative session.
ARRM’s Government Relations team hit the ground running, making strides forward with our 2018 Policy Bill, the Best Life Alliance Coalition and updating information on our website.
Policy Bill Update
ARRM’s Policy Bill was introduced in the House and the Senate, HF 2911/SF 2483. Our bill this year builds on the important reforms that were passed last year by broadening the requirement for a discussion about technology, fixing a date within the language that allows providers to add a fifth bed to a home and changing some requirements for Behavior Professionals, Behavior Analyst and Behavior Specialist.
The legislation has its first hearing scheduled for this coming Monday, February 26 in the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee where we intend to add an amendment extending the moratorium exception deadline for un-licensed settings by one year and addressing what happens when providers have an open bed during the time of being licensed.
Best Life Alliance Legislation
The Best Life Alliance legislative proposal was officially approved by ARRM’s Board of Directors during our February meeting. The legislation has moved its way through the coalition and is now in the process of being drafted. Documents for grassroots advocates as well as higher level, grasstops advocates are going through final stages of editing and should be released next week for folks to use when speaking with their legislators. Look for more specific information about the Best Life Alliance proposal from ARRM next week.
Visit ARRM’s Public Policy Section on the web
The public policy section of ARRM’s website has now been updated with our 2018 Legislative Agenda and 2018 Policy Bill fact sheet. Additionally, the Grassroots Messages section has been updated to reflect updated talking points for advocates to use this legislative session. Please contact Sara Grafstrom at sgrafstrom@arrm.org if there are any resources you are in need of, but not finding on the website.
--Sara Grafstrom
Director of Member Advocacy and Government Relations
Have questions or ideas about this year's legislative session? Share them in the comments below.
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