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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 22, 2024 03:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jessica Benham and Rep. Jason Ortitay, Rep. Dan L. Miller |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Creating the Department of Disability Rights, Employment, Accessibility, and Mobility – DREAM (former HB 547) |
| Nearly one in four Pennsylvanians have a disability, and despite the best intentions of many, most have only seen modest improvements in their lives and opportunities. Too many remain underserved, underemployed, on waiting lists, or otherwise struggling to obtain greater independence or to maximize their skills effectively. The progress of such issues, embedded in the heart of the bipartisan Americans with Disabilities Act, requires a commitment by all of us to reach fruition. And here in Pennsylvania, it requires every level of our government to make sure that progress is made and that every aspect of our government’s services are provided in an accessible manner. Following in the footsteps of our Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs cabinet expansion, this bill would consolidate several existing programs under a new Department of Disability Rights, Employment, Accessibility, and Mobility (DREAM) and create a secretary position to serve on the governor’s cabinet. A similar elevation has proven effective in Maryland, where their Secretary of Disabilities has helped the governor craft much-needed policies that consider people with disabilities at every step. Please join us in supporting this legislation so that we can make a stronger commitment to increasing opportunities for all Pennsylvanians. A draft of our proposal is attached. |
Introduced as HB2173