On June 25, 2018 a coalition of diverse advocates testified in favor of Supported Decision-Making legislation in Massachusetts, S.64 / H.172. To learn more about the bill see the bill fact sheet and our page on the legislation.
CPR was honored to stand beside self advocates and SDM pilot project participants as they testified in the Massachusetts State House about the importance of supported decision-making and the need for passing legislation.
Thank you to Representative Aaron Vega, Representative Paul Tucker, and Senator Joan Lovely for sponsoring this vital bill and for their leadership. Thank you also to the many co-sponsors from the House and Senate and to Senator Patrick O’Connor and Representative Nika Elugardo for their testimony at the hearing in support of the SDM bill.
If you support the SDM bill in Massachusetts, see below how to make your voice heard!
I like Supportive Decision Making! I have my family and closest friend help me understand decisions and help me pursue my interests.
– Johnathan Jenkins, Pilot Project Participant (CPR/Nonotuck)
The Bill
Fact sheet for the bill provides a brief overview of SDM and what the legislation would do.
Speakers
- Anna Krieger, Attorney, Center for Public Representation
- Paul Lanzikos, Executive Director, North Shore Elder Services
- Amanda Benoit, CPR Supported Decision-Making Pilot Participant, Nonotuck Resource Associates
- Anne Fracht, Board Chair, Mass Advocates Standing Strong
- Sandra Kinney, Supporter in CPR SDM Pilot, Co-Chairperson, Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change
- Johnathan Jenkins, CPR Supported Decision-Making Pilot Participant, Nonotuck Resource Associates
Written Testimony
- Amanda Benoit SDM Testimony
- Anne Fracht SDM Testimony
- Anna Krieger SDM Testimony
- Sandy Heller SDM Testimony
- Johnathan Jenkins SDM Testimony
- Paul Lanzikos SDM Testimony
- Craig Kinney SDM Testimony
I have been in the SDM Pilot Project for five years. My SDM Team has helped me with many things. I now have my Green Belt in Taekwando, I have traveled to many places in the country with my friends and I am now a World Traveler, I went to London, Paris, and Rome with my friend Maggy last year. In ending, Our Voices Matter! Please vote for SDM!
– Amanda Benoit, Pilot Project Participant (CPR/Nonotuck)
Videos
More videos coming soon!
If you support passing an SDM law in Massachusetts, make your voice heard!
You can call the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities:
- Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, Chair – (617) 722-1673
- Senator Diana DiZoglio, Vice Chair – (617) 722-1604
- Representative Josh S. Cutler, Vice Chair – (617) 722-2810
- You can also contact other Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities members — their contact information is here.
If you are a constituent of one of the committee members, be sure to tell them. You can find out who your legislators are here.
Here is what you can say on the call:
- Tell them your name and where you live. (If you are a constituent of the legislator you are calling, be sure to tell them that)
- I am calling to express my support for the Supported Decision-Making legislation: S. 64/H. 172. There was a hearing on this bill before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities on June 25th.
- SDM is important to me because… (Here you can explain who you are and why decision-making for people with disabilities is important to you. Are you a person who uses SDM? Do you have a loved one who uses SDM or would like to? etc.)
- I urge the Joint Committee to favorably report this important bill.
- If they have questions, you can refer them to Anna Krieger at the Center for Public Representation: 617-965-0776
Send a letter by email to SDM@cpr-ma.org about why you support SDM legislation in Massachusetts and we will share it with the legislators!
Here is what you can write in your letter/email:
- Include your name and address.
- I am writing to express my support for the Supported Decision-Making legislation: S. 64/H. 172. There a hearing on this bill before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities on June 25.
- SDM is important to me because… (Here you can explain who you are and why decision-making for people with disabilities is important to you. Are you a person who uses SDM? Do you have a loved one who uses SDM or would like to? etc.)
- I urge the Joint Committee to favorably report this important legislation.
If you have questions, please call Anna Krieger at 617-965-0776
