COLUMBUS MRDD reform hinges on type of study panel

The governor will not say whether he would veto the bill.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Deciding whether to create a commission to study the proposed closure of state MRDD centers, or to create a panel to study the closure of any state facility, is holding up final passage of an MRDD reform bill.
On Wednesday, the Ohio Senate rejected House changes to the bill that would revise mental retardation and developmental disabilities law.
That means the bill, sponsored by state Sen. Robert Spada, R-North Royalton, will go to a conference committee of lawmakers to iron out differences between versions passed by each chamber.
"The biggest change is the addition of the facilities closure language," Spada said before senators voted 19 to 14 to reject the House changes.
The version of the bill passed by the Senate in April would create a committee to study any proposed MRDD Center closing. Under the bill, the panel would make a recommendation to the governor, who could agree with it or make another decision.
The House added language in the version it approved in June to create a committee to study the closing of any state facility.
Spada said he believed adding other state facilities such as prisons or youth detention centers to the measure would go against the spirit of the bill.
What happened
The Senate provisions came after Republican Gov. Bob Taft in February announced plans to close Apple Creek Developmental Center in Wayne County and Springview Developmental Center in Clark County because of the state's worsening budget problems.
Backers of the state facility-closure provisions say they hope to avoid a gubernatorial veto by reaching an accord with the governor.
"This thing is most certainly going to get vetoed as the House sent it over," said state Sen. Ron Amstutz, R-Wooster, who voted to reject the House changes. "The goal is to get this thing done," he said.
Taft said he remains opposed to the facilities-closure commission provisions.
Taft wouldn't say whether he would veto the bill if the facility-closing provisions remain, indicating that his office had to study the matter further. Conference committee members are expected to be chosen soon.
If a conference committee can hammer out an accord, it would have to be approved by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor.
The state's 10 other developmental centers are in Toledo, Cambridge, Columbus, Gallipolis, Huber Heights, Mount Vernon, Batavia, Tiffin, Mineral Ridge and Highland Hills.