2018 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Highlights
February 6, 2018
As we approach the mid-point of the 2018 legislative session, the disAbility Law Center of Virginia continues to monitor developments that could impact the rights of people with disabilities. Here is an update on some of the bills before the Virginia legislature that could impact adults and children with autism.
These bills are still in process:
HB 505 (Bell, Robert) would allow a person with a disability, including specifically someone with autism, to request that the Department of Transportation post traffic signs indicating that a person with a disability may be present. A subcommittee of the House Committee on Transportation recommended reporting the bill.
SB 593 (Vogel) is the Senate companion to the House Bills 1113, 1311, and 1369, noted below as having been defeated. It would require insurance coverage for persons with autism of any age. Current law requires coverage until age 10. The bill was later amended in Senate Finance to require coverage only until age 18, and amended to state that the bill would not be effective unless there is funding in the budget to cover the fiscal impact on state employee insurance coverage. The amended bill was approved by the full Senate.
SB 234 (Hanger) extends the operation of the Autism Advisory Council beyond its sunset date of July 1, 2018 until July 1, 2020. This bill is before the Senate Committee on Rules.
SB 337 (Stuart) creates an Autism Commission within state government to evaluate services for people with autism and make recommendations for future services. This bill is before the Senate Committee on Rules.
HR 38 (Miyares) commends the Virginia Autism Project for its compassionate work to support families of children with autism. The Virginia Autism Project is based in Virginia Beach. The resolution has been adopted by the full House of Delegates.
And these bills relating to people with autism have already been defeated:
HB 1113 (Roem), HB 1311 (Collins) and HB 1369 (Plum) would have required insurance to offer coverage for persons with autism of any age. Current law requires coverage until age 10. Both bills were defeated in a House subcommittee on Commerce and Law.
HB 174 (Filler-Corn) would have required the Department of Criminal Justice Services to develop protocols for communicating with people with autism or with intellectual disabilities. The Department maintained that it was already in the process of developing such protocols. The bill was defeated in a subcommittee of House Militia, Police and Public Safety.
The mission of the disAbility Law Center of Virginia is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation. Please let us know of any legislative proposals or budget issues that you think we should be following. Contact us at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.