HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49
(By Delegates Douglas, Collins, Fantasia, Claypole, H. White, Stalnaker, Heck, Butcher, Davis, Capito and Louisos)


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study of the feasibility of creating a personal assistance program for the severely disabled.
Whereas, The increased availability of personal assistance services for persons with severe disabilities will enable them to live in their own homes and communities; and
Whereas, Persons with severe disabilities, including mental, sensory, and/or physical impairments, are in danger of being moved from living arrangements of their choice to a restrictive setting when personal assistance services are not available; and
Whereas, A personal assistance program raises difficult questions as to the appropriate placement of the program within government, the administration of the program and mechanisms for funding; and
Whereas, The development of a personal assistance program raises issues of how to balance interests in consumer control of the program against interests in high standards of accountability; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of creating a personal assistance program; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 1998, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That expenses necessary to conduct this study and to prepare and report necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.