HF 3896 Summary

• Establishes a 22-member Task Force on Disability Services Accessibility to evaluate current state and county disability services and develop plans to address accessibility barriers.

• Task force must complete an accessibility assessment of disability services, identify barriers, and develop recommendations for legislative action, policy changes, and lead agency improvements by August 1, 2025.

• Requires the commissioner of human services to establish pilot projects in six counties across the state to test accessibility improvements including pre-decision communication processes, less frequent assessments, peer system navigators, and electronic communication options, with pilots running from July 1, 2023 through at least December 31, 2024.

• Appropriates funding from the general fund for the task force operations and pilot project grants, with funds available through March 31, 2026.

• Task force expires March 31, 2026, and must include representation from people with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, direct service professionals, disability advocacy organizations, and counties serving communities of color.