Families and advocates press for 90‑day notice on DDA manual changes

Senate Bill 583 drew a long line of parents, providers and advocacy groups who said repeated and rapid changes to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) self‑directed services manual have disrupted care, payroll and long‑standing supports. Sponsor Sen. J.B. Jennings framed the bill as restoring ‘‘stability, transparency and accountability’’ and asked the committee for a 90‑day public comment requirement before manual changes take effect.

Multiple parents and self‑direction leaders described the burden: heavy manuals expanded from 116 to 192 pages, some revisions posted with days or zero notice, and in at least one instance a waiver amendment issued with a 30‑day comment period that families said was too short. ‘‘When policy changes can change overnight, stability turns into uncertainty and undermines safety,’’ said Sherry Dexter, a self‑direction parent advocate.

Panelists requested a broader reach for the bill to cover guidance posted on policy platforms and plain‑language summaries so employer‑participants and community coordinators can implement changes. Witnesses also described inconsistent internal guidance from DDA staff and gaps in training for service coordinators, which they said a longer notice period would help resolve.

The committee heard that while DDA has convened community webinars and meetings, community members experience variable responsiveness; advocates urged statutory guardrails so families can plan and providers can be trained before new policies take effect. The hearing closed with senators encouraging continued negotiation on amendment language to balance operational needs with families’ need for predictability.