72nd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2003 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 2107
 
                         Senate Bill 357
 
Sponsored by Senator CORCORAN
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Creates Task Force on Affordable Housing for Adults with
Developmental Disabilities. Specifies membership of task force.
Directs task force to study and make recommendations on actions
that may be taken to address the availability of affordable
housing for adults with developmental disabilities.
  Sunsets task force on December 31, 2004.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to Task Force on Affordable Housing for Adults with
  Developmental Disabilities; appropriating money; and declaring
  an emergency.
  Whereas some sources estimate that more than 60,000 Oregonians
have a developmental disability and these residents with
developmental disabilities make important contributions to this
state in profound and unique ways; and
  Whereas the need for affordable housing among people with
developmental disabilities in this state is an issue that touches
all Oregonians; and
  Whereas children and adults with developmental disabilities
should have opportunities to develop relationships with
neighbors, classmates, coworkers and community members; and
  Whereas adults, whether disabled or not, should have the
opportunity to make choices about where and with whom they live;
and
  Whereas the preferences of each individual should guide all
aspects of the selection of housing, including the neighborhood,
and whether the individual will live alone or with the
individual's immediate family, extended family, spouse, partner
or friends; and
  Whereas individuals with developmental disabilities, along with
their families, government, agencies and organizations, should be
able to determine the manner in which assistance is best provided
to the individuals; and
  Whereas the families of individuals with disabilities, along
with government and private agencies and organizations, should be
able to provide requested support in meeting the individuals'
needs and preferences; and
  Whereas individuals with developmental disabilities live in
group homes, foster care or residential support units or with
friends and family; and
  Whereas some sources estimate that more than 45 percent of
renter households in Oregon pay rent that is not affordable; and
  Whereas the private housing that is available for adults with
developmental disabilities in Oregon tends to be substandard and
in many cases expensive; and
  Whereas although some adults with developmental disabilities
live in well-kept housing, many live in deficient and crowded
housing that lacks safe environmental adaptations; and
  Whereas it is clear that steps should be taken to help adults
with developmental disabilities find solutions to their housing
needs; and
  Whereas housing for adults with developmental disabilities is
not just the responsibility of families, but requires a concerted
effort by all segments of our society to improve the living
conditions of adults with developmental disabilities; now,
therefore,
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + (1) There is created the Task Force on
Affordable Housing for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
consisting of 21 members appointed as follows:
  (a) The President of the Senate shall appoint three members
from among members of the Senate.
  (b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint
three members from among members of the House of Representatives.
  (c) The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
Representatives shall jointly appoint 15 members. Members
appointed jointly by the President and the Speaker shall be
persons who are experienced in health and human services or
housing issues and shall include:
  (A) Four persons with developmental disabilities.
  (B) Three representatives from organizations of parents of
persons with developmental disabilities.
  (C) Two representatives from community groups that advocate on
behalf of persons with developmental disabilities.
  (D) Two representatives of community housing development
corporations.
  (E) Two representatives of organizations providing residential
services to persons with developmental disabilities.
  (F) One representative of an organization providing vocational
services to persons with developmental disabilities.
  (G) One representative of an organization providing legal
services to persons with developmental disabilities.
  (2) Appointments made under subsection (1) of this section
shall be completed by September 30, 2003, or 30 calendar days
after adjournment sine die of the regular session of the
Seventy-second Legislative Assembly, whichever is later. The task
force shall hold its first meeting not later than November 30,
2003, or 45 days after adjournment sine die of the regular
session of the Seventy-second Legislative Assembly, whichever is
later.
  (3) The purpose of the task force is to study and make
recommendations on actions that may be taken to address the
availability of affordable housing for adults with developmental
disabilities.
  (4) The task force shall:
  (a) Evaluate the current housing situation for adults with
developmental disabilities in this state. In preparing its
evaluation, the task force shall seek the involvement of persons
or organizations knowledgeable or experienced in issues related
to adults with developmental disabilities;
  (b) Develop a comprehensive approach to solving housing
problems for adults with developmental disabilities;
  (c) Recommend actions that can be taken to address the
availability of affordable housing for adults with developmental
disabilities. The recommendations shall include an analysis of
the financial impact of the actions. The task force shall
indicate which recommendations had the unanimous agreement of the
members; and
  (d) Develop legislation for recommendation to the Seventy-third
Legislative Assembly.
  (5) The task force is subject to the provisions of ORS 171.605
to 171.635 and has the authority contained in ORS 171.505 and
171.510.
  (6) The Housing and Community Services Department and the
Department of Human Services shall provide staff support to the
task force.
  (7) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS
174.111, are directed to assist the task force in the performance
of its duties and, to the extent permitted by laws relating to
confidentiality, to furnish such information and advice as the
members of the task force consider necessary to perform their
duties.
  (8) A majority of the members of the task force constitutes a
quorum for the transaction of business.
  (9) Official action by the task force requires the approval of
a majority of the members of the task force.
  (10) The task force shall elect one of its members to serve as
chairperson.
  (11) The task force shall submit a report, including
recommendations for legislation, to an interim committee related
to human services in the manner provided by ORS 192.245, no later
than October 1, 2004.
  (12) Members of the task force who are not members of the
Legislative Assembly are not entitled to compensation, but may be
reimbursed for actual and necessary travel and other expenses
incurred by them in the performance of their official duties, in
the manner and amounts provided for in ORS 292.495. Claims for
expenses shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the
Department of Human Services for that purpose.
  (13)(a) The Legislative Administrator may accept, on behalf of
the Task Force on Affordable Housing for Adults with
Developmental Disabilities, contributions of funds and assistance
from the United States Government or its agencies or from any
other source, public or private, and agree to conditions placed
on the funds not inconsistent with the purposes of this section.
  (b) All funds received by the Legislative Administrator under
this section shall be paid into the State Treasury and deposited
in the General Fund to the credit of the task force. The funds
are appropriated continuously to the task force for the purposes
of carrying out the provisions of section 1 of this 2003 Act. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + Section 1 of this 2003 Act is repealed on
December 31, 2004. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
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