A 10-year-old boy with Down Syndrome, Adam Fraleigh, brightened the day for members of the Arizona State Senate Health and Human Services Committee with hugs and pats on the back.
Adam’s father, John Fraleigh, had come before the Committee to testify in favor of HB2113 on Wednesday, March 16. As he finished his compelling testimony on the need to expand the definition of developmental disability to include Downs Syndrome, Mr. Fraleigh told the senators, “I’m open for questions, he’s open for hugs.”
The Committee passed the bill on a unanimous vote.
HB2113, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Udall, specifically expands the definition of developmental disability to include a severe, chronic disability that is attributable to Down Syndrome.
Currently, the Director of the Department of Economic Security (DES) is responsible for developing and annually revising a statewide plan and initiating statewide programs and services for persons with developmental disabilities. Services include child, adult, residential and resource services. An Arizona resident with a developmental disability, supported by medical and psychological documentation, is eligible to apply for developmental disabilities programs, services and facilities operated, licensed and supervised by DES (A.R.S. §§ 36-554 and 36-559).