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July 17, 2005
Oregon deaf and hard-of-hearing services ensured
The Oregon House today voted to create the Oregon Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services program within the Department of Human Services. The bill also preserves the Oregon Disabilities Commission (ODC) by approving the transfer of the commission into the Department of Human Services. The move could create a nominal budget savings that will be used to maintain services.
"Deaf and hard-of-hearing Oregonians are very excited about this bill and Oregon'scommitment to provide access to all Oregonians with hearing impairments," said Representative Steve March (D-Portland), who, along with Representative John Lim(R-Gresham) were chief sponsors of the bill. It is estimated that up to ten-percent (10%) of Oregonians are deaf, deaf-blind, late-deaf or hard-of-hearing.
House Bill 3230-C reduces the ODC administrative burden by transferring federally funded missions to other programs. The Oregon Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing services will be able to be maintained separately within DHS. These services were in serious doubtbecause of severe cuts originally proposed for the commission budget.
The bill was also co-sponsored in the Senate by Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson, who along with Representative Lim, has an assisted living facility for the deaf in their districts. Representative March was assisted in the 2003 legislative session by an intern who was deaf.
House Bill 3230-C passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 55 Yes and zeroNo votes after having passed the Senate 29-0. It now heads to the Governor's office where he is expected to sign HB 3230.
Rep. Steve March can be contacted at rep.stevemarch@state.or.us
From Williams Oregon News
Posted by 4HL on July 17, 2005 7:50 AM
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