Special Assistant for Disability Rights Advocacy
Item 55 #5h
Item 55 #5h | First Year - FY2023 | Second Year - FY2024 | |
| Executive Offices |
| Office of the Governor | FY2023 $250,000 | FY2024 $100,000 | GF |
| FY2023 1.00 | FY2024 1.00 | FTE |
Language
Page 40, line 4, strike "$5,691,439" and insert "$5,941,439".
Page 40, line 4, strike "$5,717,114" and insert "$5,817,114".
Page 40, after line 20, insert:
"E.1. Out of the appropriation for this Item is $250,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund to support a Special Assistant to the Governor for Disability Rights Advocacy (the Special Assistant). The Special Assistant shall represent Virginians with disabilities in a comprehensive and authoritative manner by ensuring that all state agencies provide adequate services, resources, and accommodations to such persons.
2. In consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities created pursuant to § 51.5-31, the Special Assistant shall: (i) identify and advise the Governor on recurring issues and problems within state agencies that impact people with disabilities; (ii) be responsible for collecting data and information from state agencies regarding compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101) and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, and implementing a plan to address and remediate any unlawful activity and ensure continued compliance with such laws; (iii) develop reasonable and effective policy recommendations related to disability rights advocacy; (iv) represent the Governor in regards to any disability-related legislation being heard or acted upon during any regular or special session of the General Assembly; (v) serve in an advisory capacity on any relevant board, council, commission, or similar entity; (vi) serve as a liaison between Virginians with disabilities and state agencies in order to promote the interests of such individuals and their right to receive adequate services, resources, and accommodations; (vii) perform other duties and responsibilities as requested by the Secretary of Health and Human Resources and the Governor; and (viii) submit an annual report to the Governor on or before December 1, through the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, that outlines the key issues and problems discovered within state agencies that impact people with disabilities, identifies the details of any plan of action implemented by the Special Assistant to address and remediate such issues and problems, provides legislative recommendations that would improve processes and procedures across all state agencies with regard to the provision of services, resources, and accommodations to people with disabilities; and details such other matters as required by the Governor."
Explanation
(This amendment provides $250,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund and 1.0 FTE position to create a Special Assistant to the Governor for Disability Rights Advocacy. This position will be responsible for representing Virginians with disabilities in a comprehensive and authoritative manner by ensuring that all state agencies provide adequate services, resources, and accommodations to such persons. The Special Assistant is to submit an annual report to the Governor on or before December 1, through the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, that (i) outlines the key issues and problems discovered within state agencies that impact people with disabilities; (ii) identifies the details of any plan of action implemented by the Special Assistant to address and remediate such issues and problems; (iii) provides legislative recommendations that would improve processes and procedures across all state agencies with regard to the provision of services, resources, and accommodations to people with disabilities; and (iv) details such other matters as required by the Governor.)