Parent representation on Ohio County Boards of MRDD

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Information from the ARC regarding the newly passed SB10 and it's impact on parents serving on county boards of MRDD. FYI - Please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

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We have been receiving phone calls and emails during the last two weeks regarding SB 10.

Senate Bill 10 was signed into law on June 2, 2005 and became effective on September 5, 2005. The bill was intended to resolve some of the issues facing County Boards of MR/DD last year. One section of the new law is having a detrimental affect on families of individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

Currently, at least 3 of 7 members on a County Board of MR/DD must be family members of individuals with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. A section was added to state law, within SB 10 that states, among other things, that,

"None of the following individuals may serve as a member of a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities:... (5) An individual who or whose immediate family member is a board member or an employee of an agency licensed or certified by the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities to provide services to individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities;"

While state law requires that at least 3 members of the county board be family members, the above eliminates from board eligibility anyone who has an immediate family member employed by a licensed or certified provider. Attorneys are telling some County Boards that a parent of an adult with mental retardation, employed by a county board workshop or employed in any capacity by a certified provider, are now prohibited from serving on a County Board.

We will keep you posted as this new law is implemented.