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The enabling legislation articulated through its preamble guiding principles that reflect the intent of the Ehrlich Administration and the General Assembly in the creation of the MDOD include:
- Individuals with disabilities should be empowered to achieve their personal and professional goals in the communities where they live.
- Individuals with disabilities can live independent, productive, and full lives in their communities when provided with the right support, training, and opportunities.
- It is desirable to infuse service delivery systems with elevated expectations about the capacities of people with disabilities.
- It is desirable to increase the capacity of Maryland communities to provide services and support in inclusive settings.
- It is desirable to create accessible and universally designed communities and technology, which promote the independence and participation of people with disabilities.
- It is the intent of the State of Maryland to construct a seamless, responsive, and coordinated service delivery system in which consumers can exercise meaningful choices and maintain control over their lives.
Duties of the Secretary of MDOD shall be to develop, maintain, revise and enforce disability policy throughout government. The secretary shall also develop guidelines and procedures for MDOD operation, develop MDOD budget and regulations for State Plan, recommend to the Department of Budget and Management capital projects, assist units of State and local government, review and amend State Plan
Units of State Government shall submit proposed rules and regulations to MDOD accompanied by an impact statement as the proposed rule or regulation relates to people with disabilities and submit to MDOD all disability-related waivers and grants for MDODŐs concurrence. Units will also submit to MDOD any requested information needed to develop the State Plan.
By July 1 of each year each unit of State government shall develop a unit plan that includes an implementation schedule and measurable objectives for any services provided to people with disabilities. By July 1 of each year each unit of State government shall provide an evaluation of the prior yearŐs plan that assesses their attainment of their objectives. Evaluation criteria should include levels of consumer satisfaction, gaps in services, wait list numbers, and progress made on plan. Each plan shall provide for the coordination of services that assure compliance with ADA, Olmstead and are necessary for maximum participation in the mainstream of community in the most integrated setting possible. Each plan shall address the statewide improvement of self-directed long-term and attendant care; housing; transportation; somatic and mental health; accessible and universally designed technology; and support services for families while assessing resources and provision of supports.
Individuals appointed to the Maryland Commission on Disabilities will work under the direction of the Secretary of the Department of Disabilities to advise and provide guidance in the development of the State Disabilities Plan. The Governor appoints sixteen members. Two are appointed by the General Assembly. Two are appointed from the Interagency Disabilities Board (State Government) by the MDOD Secretary.
The Interagency Disabilities Board shall develop the State Plan and consists of the Cabinet Secretaries or their designees. This board is charged with providing ongoing examination of the state's services to individuals with disabilities to ensure equal access to services and resources; facilitating the development of performance objectives that will result in a comprehensive, effective, efficient, and integrated service delivery system; developing an interagency funding approach to maximize efficiencies and streamline access to services; formulating policies on legislative issues; and developing the State Disabilities Plan.
This summary is for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as comprehensive. For the full text go to http://mlis.state.md.us/2004rs/bills/sb/sb0188t.rtf.
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