Pennsylvania Legislature Considering Bill To Close Remaining Developmental Disability Centers

The Pennsylvania legislature is considering a proposal, House Bill 1650, to close the state’s five remaining state-run facilities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The bill calls for transferring all state facility residents with I/DD to a home- and community-based services (HCBS) system and for the disposition of state facility property. The proposal was introduced July 18, 2017, and is still under discussion.

The bill was introduced by state Representative Kerry Benninghoff as a cost saving proposal. It is estimated that the state spends over $300,000 on every state-facility consumer.

The . . .