[NFBMO] FW: DeafBlind Support Services Legislation

[Dennis Miller]

From: Davis, Becky <Becky.Davis at mcdhh.mo.gov> 
Sent: Friday, February 13, 2026 5:20 PM
To: mcdhh at mcdhh.mo.gov
Subject: DeafBlind Support Services Legislation

 

UPDATE:

 

Friends to the DeafBlind Support Services Program, Good afternoon from
MCDHH, the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  I would
like to provide a short update on the legislation that was introduced for
the DeafBlind Support Services Program which includes the SSP program and
the scholarship SPIE program.  

 

Early this week the bill (HB2408) had a hearing with the Legislative Review
committee.  There was a hearing and Rep. Brenda Shields, the sponsor, gave
testimony, as did Sheila Wright with the National Federation of the Blind
Missouri, Brett Wilhelm, and Lydia Olmsted.  If you look up the status of
the bill, it says "Bill has not been put on the House calendar".  It is the
Majority Floor Leader who does that, schedules bills for a vote.  Today, I
sent Mr. Alex Riley (alex.riley at house.mo.gov
<mailto:alex.riley at house.mo.gov>  ) an email giving him a short recap of the
program, telling him that this bill removes restrictive language from the
bill so it can expand funding as needed, and asking him to put it on the
calendar for a vote.  If you can take a few minutes to do the same, it would
increase the chances of this bill moving to the calendar.

 

I would also encourage you to contact your own legislators.  The link for
Legislator Look Up is at the bottom of this message.  If you can let them
know you hope the bill is voted on or ask to please support it should it
come up for a vote, it would be appreciated.  The task force has a sample
letter available and attached if you would  like to edit and use this, or
any part of this, please feel free.  It is from a program participant's
perspective.  I have other sample letters I will review and try to send.

 

NOTE: This message is being sent to the consumer list and SSP list I have
which may be dated.  My apologies, please let me know if you wish to be
removed from this list.  As well, please feel free to share.  This is a
small change to ask for that could have a big impact on the program.

 

Thank you all!

 

Legislator look up (https://www.senate.mo.gov/legislookup/default)

 



 

Becky M. Davis

Executive Director

3216 Emerald Lane, Suite B

Jefferson City, MO 65109

Becky.Davis at mcdhh.mo.gov <mailto:Becky.Davis at mcdhh.mo.gov> 

VP: (573) 298-6752

 



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