Montana bills would slow closure of state-run institution for people with developmental disabilities

HELENA — Two years after a law passed ordering its closure, the state-run institution for people with developmental disabilities in a small town between Helena and Butte isn’t ready to shut down, and part of it needs to stay open indefinitely.

That’s what those who testified in support of a bill to give Montana Developmental Center in Boulder until 2019 to meet a state-mandated closure told the House Human Services Committee on Wednesday.

House Bill 387 is carried by Rep. Kirk Wagoner, the Republican lawmaker who represents Boulder and Jefferson County.

“The state has been very zealous to remove all clients in the timeline provided, but more time is needed,” he said. “This bill is going to solve this crisis by extending it for two years.”

Read more: http://billingsgazette.com/news/government-and-politics/bills-would-slow-closure-of-state-run-institution-for-people/article_2b54a5c9-ecbb-509b-b0bb-b2a144a8801f.html