Committee backs amendment and bill changes citing Olmstead decision, ADA oversight

The Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee voted unanimously to give a favorable recommendation to an amendment and to the bill as amended at its meeting, committee members said. The amendment clarifies supervisory job titles, makes nontechnical wording changes and highlights oversight and annual accountability reports related to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and the Olmstead decision.

The amendment, introduced by Chair Loyd Davis, assigns responsibility to an Americans with Disabilities coordinator to ensure compliance with the obligations described under the ADA and draws attention to required annual accountability reports that each department must submit to the governor and the General Assembly. Chair Loyd Davis described the amendment as mainly technical edits plus the Olmstead-related language and said, “that’s really all I have.”

Committee members discussed the Olmstead matter during consideration of the amendment. Representative Beach asked whether the Olmstead case involved Georgia and a court ruling. Senator Davis (who previously spoke on the bill) and other members noted the committee’s reference to the Olmstead decision and that section 15 of Senate Bill 2 addresses related issues; members also mentioned that federal litigation on similar matters is ongoing.

Ms. Fears called the roll for both the amendment and the bill as amended. The recorded vote for the amendment and for the bill as amended showed all members present voting in favor: Mr. Beach (aye), Miss Davis (aye), Mr. Hart (aye), Mr. Montgomery (aye), Mr. Moore (yes) and Mr. Sessions (yes). Both measures received unanimous favorable recommendations to the full committee.

The committee concluded its business and adjourned after the votes. The bill, as amended, will move forward to the full committee for further consideration.