Tweaks to Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans receive strong House support

On a 124-0 vote, the House passed a number of changes Wednesday to the Commission of Deaf, Deafblind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans.

Sponsored by Rep. Cindy Pugh (R-Chanhassen) and Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake), HF3290/SF2777* now goes to Gov. Mark Dayton. It was passed 67-0 by the Senate April 23.

Per its website, the commission “advocates for communications access and equal opportunity with the 20 percent of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.”

Among the proposed changes are:

• lengthening the terms of commission members from three years to four;
• allowing members to serve three terms rather than two, or until a qualified successor is appointed; however, members cannot serve longer than 12 years;
• change the name of the commission to the “Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing”;
• allowing the commission to form an executive committee, which can approve contracts up to $50,000. Any contract larger than that has to go to the full commission.

Additionally, the bill would expand commission duties to allow it to “research, formulate, and present plans, programs, and policies that will serve the needs of those with hearing loss, as well as “encourage and assist in the development of coordinated, interdepartmental goals and objectives, and the coordination of programs, services, and facilities among all state departments, political subdivisions, and private providers of service as they relate to” people with hearing disabilities.