We are very excited to report that the Massachusetts Supported Decision-Making legislation continues to make progress in the State House! The bill has now moved to the House Committee on Bills in Third Reading. This is important progress for a bill that would improve the lives of people with disabilities and older adults in the Commonwealth.
The SDM bill’s progress was also covered by the State House News Bureau: “Disabled individuals looking for help making life decisions could find help under legislation (H 4349) that would allow them to choose one or more “trusted supporters” to provide assistance. Reps. Paul Tucker (D-Salem) and Aaron Vega’s (D-Holyoke) co-sponsored the bill that Center for Public Representation Senior Attorney Anna Krieger says increases independence for individuals with disabilities.”
Read more about the legislation here.
For an overview of the SDM bill (H.4349/S.2490), check out the Massachusetts SDM bill fact sheet.
Make sure the legislature hears from you about how important an SDM bill is in Massachusetts!
House leadership needs to hear your voice! Contact key legislators below today to tell them you support the Supported Decision-Making bill.
Contact Speaker Robert DeLeo at (617) 722-2500
Contact Majority Leader Ronald Mariano at (617) 722-2300
Contact Speaker Pro Tempore Patricia A. Haddad at (617) 722-2600
Contact Rep. Theodore Speliotis at (617) 722-2410
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: H. 4349/S.64.
- 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 House to pass this important bill.
- If they have questions, you can refer them to Anna Krieger at the Center for Public Representation: 617-965-0776
If you’d rather write a letter you can 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!
