A House committee heard testimony on a bill that would eventually shut down state-funded habilitation centers.

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2/21/2011: Newspaper Story - A bill heard in the House will begin the phasing out of Missouri's habilitation centers for people with disabilities, in favor of community living situations.

3/ 9/2011: Newspaper Story - A crowd rallied at the Capitol in support of legislation to advance the rights of Missouri's developmentally disabled

3/23/2011: Radio Story - Missouri's plans for the future of disabled care.

Intro:	The House Committee on Disability Services heard testimony on a bill that would eventually shut down state-funded habilitation centers.
RunTime:	0:45
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Families of people with disabilities spoke out against proposed legislation that would move residents out of government-run institutions.

Mary Vitale has a brother at Bellefontaine Habilitation Center in the St. Louis area.

That center would eventually be shut down under the bill.

Actuality:	VITALE.WAV
Run Time:	00:17
Description: "Every time I go visit my brother, I see miracles. Miracles made possible by the staff members, the comprehensive services available at habilitation centers."

The bill's supporters say people with intellectual disabilities would be better off in community-based living.

No action has been taken on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Mark Hodges.

Intro:	The House Committee on Disability Services heard legislation that would move people with disabilities out of government institutions.
RunTime:	0:37
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Families gave emotional pleas defending state habilitation centers that would be shut down under a proposed bill.

Darlene Stone has a nephew with an intellectual disability.

She says private facilities can not replace government care.

Actuality:	STONE.WAV
Run Time:	00:09
Description: "Maybe they should be looking into helping other people, but please don't take it away from one that is mentally handicapped, that is in there now, and please open it up to the ones that need it."

A representative from the Congress on Disability Policy says the bill makes sense because state habilitation centers are no longer taking any long-term residents.

No action has been taken on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Mark Hodges.

Intro:	The House Committee on Disability Services heard a bill that would close state-run habilitation centers in the next six years.
RunTime:	0:42
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: Representatives from private care companies say they support the proposed bill that would eventually shut down state-run habilitation centers.

Doug Griggs from the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council says he wants people with intellectual disabilities to have more choices.

Actuality:	GRIGGS.WAV
Run Time:	00:12
Description: "I don't think that imposing our choices upon other people is a good way to proceed. I think allowing other people to go out and experience choice, like what cereal to have tomorrow morning, is a real choice."

Families of people with intellectual disabilities testified against closing the facilities, saying they have family members who truly need that care.

No action has been taken on the bill.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Mark Hodges.