House passes disabled persons Bill of Rights

HB 214 aligns current statutes to be in lock-step with the rights that every other citizen has by ensuring each and every person with a disability has the right to be treated at all times with respect and has access to safe and sanitary living, the right to ownership of property, and the ability to be treated equally under law.

“As citizens of the United States, we are given unalienable rights. There should be no question whether that applies to some of our vulnerable citizens,” said Representative Mark Hart, the primary sponsor of HB 214. “Creating a bill of rights for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities isn’t only about establishing rights; it’s about affirming dignity and quality for every person, regardless of their disability.”

This measure also puts in statute the right for one of these individuals to file a notice of any violation of these rights with the attorney general for prosecutorial action. “I consider this to be a declaration of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusivity and respect for all. I am happy with today’s outcome, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to see that this bill becomes law,” Representative Hart added.

Watch video of Rep. Hart introducing HB 214 on the House floor.