Panel advances bill tightening background checks and directing waiver support coordination review for people with developmental disabilities

Representative Tance presented PCS for HB 565, which contains two primary provisions: (1) require background screening for every employee of a residential facility or day training program serving people with developmental disabilities, closing reported gaps; and (2) direct a comprehensive review of waiver support coordination to define core competencies, metrics, and best practices and to identify geographic gaps in service.

Testimony included Melissa Mazzetta, a support coordination advocate, who praised the professionalization of support coordination and said prior efforts (referenced as Senate Bill 825) had not fully realized mentoring goals. JJ Holmes, a waiver recipient, testified about rules that ask families to document unpaid “natural supports” before paid services are approved and criticized the risk of relying on unvetted volunteers; Holmes urged that safety standards should apply to everyone providing care and suggested APD should pay for background checks if families must rely on volunteers.

Representative Escamani thanked Representative Tance for the effort and noted a recent community town hall with the APD director where families raised both praise and concerns. Representative Tance closed by emphasizing the life‑changing role of competent support coordinators. The clerk reported PCS for HB 565 favorably, 17 yays, 0 nays.

The PCS moves the background-screening requirement and the waiver support review forward; implementation details, including funding for additional screenings or training, were not discussed in committee.