Earlier this month, Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order calling for more protections for people with disabilities. Shortly after, an Arizona lawmaker sponsored two bills that would address parts of the order. But, those bills will not be going to the governor’s desk.
Democratic Rep. Jennifer Longdon introduced those measures. The first would address training caregivers to recognize abuse and neglect. The other would strengthen duty to report laws. Longdon says it’s up to the chair of the committee, in this case Republican Rep. Nancy Barto of the Health and Human Services Committee, to set the agenda.
“And it’s my understanding that Representative Barto felt that with the Governor’s executive order in place, we didn’t need to do this bill at this time,” Longdon said.
Christina Corieri is a Senior Policy Advisor to Gov. Doug Ducey. She can’t comment on the legislature, but says they are working to implement every piece of the order.
“The executive order required that a work group be put together that included individuals with disabilities, disability advocacy organizations, advocacy and family members,” Corieri said.
The group will meet in early March and issue recommendations by Nov. 1. An executive order isn’t permanent like a statute, but it could be rescinded by another governor with an executive order; it could also be codified into law, Corieri said.
