Olmstead joint hearing requirement passed

Lawmakers passed a bill April 9 that requires an annual joint legislative hearing to review the progress of community integration for individuals with disabilities in Nebraska.

LB737, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Victor Rountree, requires the Legislature’s Health and Human Services and Urban Affairs committees to conduct a joint hearing to review progress on the state Olmstead Plan. The plan is mandated by a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision and requires states to ensure that people with disabilities are integrated into their communities.

Under the bill, the joint hearing will assess plan progress from the previous calendar year in the areas of housing, employment, education, community support and transportation and recommend legislative solutions.

The committees are required to meet annually on or before Oct. 1 and submit an annual report of findings to the Clerk of the Legislature no later than Dec. 31 of each year.

LB737 passed on a 47-1 vote.