SB670

I am in favor of this bill. I have a 26 yo son who is on the Autism spectrum. He currently lives in a group home. I think it is important to form a committee to oversee the agencies who work with group homes, residential for adults and adult foster homes. I would like to be considered for the committee as a public member . I think that it is important to have a registry where reports of abuse, neglect and or exploitation of vulnerable adults have oversight. Thank you, Sandra Auvil Richmond NH

Please, please develop a system of real oversight, not just boxes to be checked. Victims and staff members who speak up are courageous. Even if a specific instance cannot be proven, it should be called "unproven," not "unfounded" which sounds like the person who made the report is not to be believed. Staff who are the subject of accusations should not be alone with vulnerable people.

As a former state director of services for addiction, I support this bill. It will make it easier to assure the quality of services in NH.

My name is Daniel Hebert, and I am a consumer of personal care services in New Hampshire. I use an electric wheelchair and need personal care services to get out of bed in the morning and all aspects of daily living skills. I am grateful to Mr. William Skipworth for the articles he wrote in November and the prompt response in this bill. I wanted to write with my support for this bill. I had a couple comments. The bill allows for monitoring and representation for Developmental Services as it relates to providing care for individuals. I am wondering about including the same for the following 2 eligibilities: N.H. Admin. Code He-W 552 – Personal Care Attendant Services N.H. Admin. Code He-E 801 – Choices for Independence Program I don't believe these services are covered under any section of your bill, but I believe it should be. CFI services under He-E 801 are eligible to receive home and community based 1915(c) waiver services, which is defined in the first line of this bill. Reference 801.01. Code He-550 and He-801 recipients are receiving the same services as described by your bill and under the same situation and conditions but with different pathways to eligibility for Medicaid. I'm happy to discuss further if needed.

This is a good bill. It establishes a study commission to examine services, quality and oversight issues. It also increases reporting requirements for incidents resulting in death or serious bodily injury of people with disabilities who receive state-funded residential services.