SCPD POLICY AND LAW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 14, 2016 – 1 PM
SMYRNA REST AREA - SMYRNA, DE
Present: Brian Hartman, DLP; Jamie Wolfe, SCPD Vice-Chair; Jessica Wilson; Pat Maichle, DDC; William Payne, GACAAPD; Marge Turner, DSAAPD; Daniese McMullin-Powell, SCPD Chair; Linda Heller, HLAD; Kathie Cherry, GACEC; Amber Rivard, SCPD Staff; Kyle Hodges, SCPD Director.
CALL TO ORDER
Daniese McMullin-Powell called the meeting to order at 1:12 PM.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA
Jamie added United Healthcare and Kyle added updates under “Other Business”. Daniese noted that the Committee needs to appoint a co-chair of the Committee.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the minutes from the December 10, 2015 meeting as submitted.
REVIEW OF DLP MEMO
1. DOE Final Educational Records Transfer & Maintenance Reg. [19 DE Reg. 618 (1/1/16)] – It was agreed no further action was needed.
2. DOE Final Medications & Treatments Regulation [19 DE Reg. 362 (1/1/16)] – It was agreed no further action was needed by SCPD. GACEC solicit DOE illustrations of the alternative approaches to assistance with medications.
3. DOE Final Certification Programs for Leaders in Education Reg. [19 DE Reg. 626 (1/1/16)] – Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to follow-up as needed since there was and omission of a summary of information and findings in adopting final regulations.
4. DOE Final School Psychologist Regulation [19 DE Reg. 624 (1/1/16)] It was agreed no further action was needed.
5. DPH Final DMOST Regulation [19 DE Reg. 637 (1/1/16)] - Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to send a thank-you communication.
6. DMMA Final Medicaid Home Health Services Reg. [19 DE Reg. 627 (1/1/16)] – It agreed no further action was needed.
7. DMMA Final Deletion of Pers. Care Services from Medicaid Plan Reg. [19 DE Reg. 632 (1/1/16)] - It agreed no further action was needed. Marge noted that she provided our comments to the appropriate people. Brian will note the concerns in any meetings with DMMA.
8. H.B. No. 161 (Parent Empowerment Savings Account Act) – After much discussion, motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to send a letter consistent with the observations in Brian’s memo.
9. S.B. No. 142 (Medicaid Coverage of Adult Dental Services) – Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to send a letter to the Governor with a copy to the General Assembly that would be similar to previous letter sent in 2013 with the observations provided in Brian’s memo (e.g. DHSS funding recommendation and updated information and articles).
10. H.B. No. 186 (Charter School Audits) – Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to send a letter consistent with Brian’s memo.
11. H.B. No. 175 (Unified Sports) – It’s unclear if a pilot is being implemented at some level without enactment of the bill.Kyle will contact Special Olympics and DIAA to determine if they could provide the following information:
· What is status of HB 175?
· Is it being implemented as some level without enactment of the bill?
· Are the DIAA and Special Olympics supporting enactment of the legislation?
· Is it moving forward?
Motion was made for Kyle to make the aforementioned contacts to solicit information and then determine whether to send any letter.
12. H.B. No. 158 (Adult Protective Services) – Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to send a letter sharing reservations consistent with Brian’s memo. Marge Turner abstained and Pat Maichle voted opposed the motion. Please note this letter was not sent since it was stricken on January 19th.
13. S.B. No. 134 (Homeless Bill of Rights) – Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to endorse the bill consistent with Brian’s memo.
Pedestrian Accessibility Standards
As an “FYI”, Kyle noted that the DelDOT Pedestrian Accessibility Standards were published as proposed regulations in the December 2015 issue of the Register of Regulations. SCPD did not comment on the proposed version; however, SCPD did provide comments on the standards when DelDOT presented the draft to full Council and the P&L Committee. Kyle provided that April 14, 2015 letter. The standards appear to have been approved by the Federal Highway Administration.
Disability Integration Act
Daniese provided a summary of S. 2427 which mandates that home and community based services be provided as an option to institutionalization if a person chooses such services. Motion was made, seconded and approved for SCPD to send a letter to Delaware’s Senators sharing information about the bill. SCPD will support the bill.
Driving Permits for Undocumented People
Kyle provided information (email and law) regarding this issue which may discriminate against people with disabilities although it is a very small subset of individuals.
HB 240
This bill establishes the Statewide Afterschool Initiative Learning Program. The Program will provide grants to public schools, that qualify as Title I schools, to develop afterschool engagement of students that will provide extended learning, homework assistance, enrichment, and nutrition. GACEC will be addressing at its meeting.
Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers Bill
Linda provided an update on this draft bill which would require:
· Hearing aid dispensers or dispensing audiologists to deliver a bill of sale to each person supplied with a hearing aid by the hearing aid dispenser or the dispensing audiologist or at that person's order or direction.
· A bill of sale to contain the hearing aid dispenser's or the dispensing audiologist's signature and shall show the address of that person's regular place of practice and the number of that person's license, a description of the make and model of the hearing aid and the amount charged. The bill of sale shall also state the serial number and the condition of the hearing aid as to whether it is new, used or rebuilt.
· The bill of sale to contain language that verifies that the client has been informed about the audio switch technology and its benefits.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:22 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Hodges
SCPD Director
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