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Legislative Briefing held for the Real Lives Bil - Pictures & Links Below!
On February 23, Speaker Pro Tempore Pat Haddad, Chairs Tom Sannicandro and Michael Rodrigues welcomed legislators and aides to a briefing on House Bill 984 or the Real lives bill.
Representative Haddad stated that Real Lives bill “is one of the best bills introduced in the chamber” and would give people a chance to direct their own lives. Tom Sannicandro encouraged attendees to recognize that this was a civil rights bill – it allowed people to choose where they live and where they work. “Imagine if you couldn’t choose where you lived or who you socialized with!”
MA 21 or the Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy is pushing for bill passage during this session. The briefing was the second step in a multi-stage strategy to attain passage. Over 50 legislators and aides attended. Also stopping in during the briefing were Representatives Brodeur, Donato and Fox.
John Anton, former chair of Mass. Advocates Standing Strong or MASS served as emcee. Speakers included Anna Maria Kingsten, Joseph Kaczynski and Roger Walsh. Anna Maria and Joe discussed the barriers in their lives that could be removed if H. 984 was passed. Roger’s story illustrated what would be possible for more people if Real Lives passes.
Below are pictures from the hearing and links to the talks from Anna Marie, Joe and Roger.
Special thanks to our briefing hosts: Representatives Pat Haddad, Tom Sannicandro and Kay Khan. Also a nod to Chair Sannicandro’s helpful staff who worked on the coordinating the session. Click here to read:
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