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Lawmakers hear bill clarifying parents may serve as paid caregivers under self-directed DDA services
Summary
House Bill 1053 would explicitly authorize parents to be eligible paid providers under Developmental Disabilities Administration self-directed services; parents and advocates testified they had received inconsistent information from the DDA and detailed the financial and caregiving burdens that motivate the proposal.
Delegate Jason Buckle presented House Bill 1053, a clarification-type bill that would explicitly include parents in the statutory language allowing family members to be paid caregivers under Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) self-directed services. Sponsors and many family witnesses said the measure is intended to remove confusion after some families were told by DDA staff they were not eligible.
Parents and advocates from Concerned Citizens of Self Direction and other family groups said they had experienced broken communications with DDA and that some families with very high, specialized care needs must rely on family caregivers in practice. Several parents described the high cost of specialized equipment and supports — examples included a GPS tracker (witness cited $600 per year) and a specialized medical-grade car seat and stroller (witness cited $13,000) — and said the program can allow parents to be paid for the care they already provide so families can remain stable and children can remain at home.
Witnesses, including parents and advocates, asked that the statute not only clarify that parents are eligible but also that administrative practices not impose additional burdens that make the family‑as‑provider option impractical. Advocate Adam Windham asked the committee to adopt an amendment that would prevent DDA from placing extra administrative hurdles on family providers beyond what non‑family staff must meet.
Sponsor Delegate Buckle said the bill is narrowly intended as a statutory clarification that will remove inconsistent guidance; he and supporters acknowledged broader access and waiver-list issues remain to be addressed through other policy work.
Ending — Supporters urged a favorable report; no committee vote was taken during the hearing.
