March 2, 2007

It's taken 3 years and many phone calls and emails from advocates within the disability community, but today the Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives formally adopted a motion that would change the name of the Joint Committee on Children and Families to the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. �

As you may recall, the Joint Committee on Children and Families was created at the start of the last 2-year legislative session.  In combination with the committees on Elder Affairs and Mental Health and Substance Abuse, it replaced the Joint Committee on Health and Human Services.  Through what we believe to be an unfortunate, if unintended oversight, the Legislature did not consider where in the new committee structure disability-related bills would be heard.  As a result, the House and Senate clerks assigned bills to dozens of committees with little expertise to understand or act upon disability-related legislation in a thoughtful manner.

Half-way through the two-year session, a decision was made to consolidate all disability-related bills into the new Children and Families Committee.  Disability advocates sought to modify the Committee's title to more clearly define the committee's disability policy role, and to identify a staff analyst dedicated to disability-related issues.  Unfortunately, despite widespread support in both the House and Senate (including the Senate Committee Co-Chair, Karen Spilka), the Committee's House chair would not agree to these requests.  Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, the newly appointed House Co-Chair, was receptive to the change.

"This [name] change is key to recognizing both the important role that disabled residents play in our Commonwealth, as well as their distinct needs," stated Senator Karen Spilka, whose support of the name change was crucial to its success.

“This change is key to recognizing both the role that disabled residents play in our Commonwealth, as well as their distinct needs,” stated committee Co-Chair Senator Spilka.  “My experience has taught me that disability matters are ultimately family matters.  I’m glad, however, that it was brought to my attention that the mission of this committee needed to be made more explicit, and that we were able to make the change.”�Click here to read a press release from the office of Senator Spilka announcing the committee name change.

The following legislators comprise the Committee.  We are disappointed that Rep. L'Italien and Rep. John Scibak were removed from the Committee.  We are also saddened by the sudden death of Rep. Debby Blumer, but look forward to working with Pam Richardson (Framingham) who ran a sticker campaign to fill Rep. Blumer's seat.

HOUSE:

Chair Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera (Springfield)
Vice-Chair Stephen P. LeDuc (Marlborough)
Cory Atkins (Concord)
Robert J. Nyman (Hanover) 
Barbara L'Italien (Andover) 
Mary E. Grant (Beverly)
Thomas Sannicandro (Ashland)
John V. Fernandes (Milford)
Pam Richardson (Framingham)