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2004 Commemoration & Memorial Services MONDAY, 20 SEP 2004 MEMORIAL SERVICES** TIME: 1:00*** - 2:00 p.m.
The bill, sponsored by Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI); the California Network of Mental Health Clients; Capitol People First; and, Peer Self/Advocacy Units, passed the Assembly by a vote of 72-3 on August 19, and the Senate (by a vote of 30-3) on August 21. Proponents of the legislation contended that restoring these cemeteries will mean restoring the value for all people with disabilities, and that implementation of SB 1448 will help lower the discrimination, thoughtlessness and lack of consideration many people with disabilities face today. The State has provided services to persons with disabilities in state hospitals and developmental centers since the mid-1850's. According to Sen. Chesbro, over 16,000 residents died and were interred at a state hospital or developmental center from the mid 1850's until 1960. Since the 1960's, cemeteries at state hospitals and developmental centers have fallen in disrepair and in need of restoration. Most of the existing grave sites are unmarked and, in most cases, these cemeteries are not maintained. Information about patients who died while in residency at a state hospital or developmental center is not complete. The Senate Select Committee on Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health, chaired by Sen. Chesbro, conducted a special hearing to examine the historic use and current status of cemeteries at state hospitals/development centers. Advocates from Minnesota and Georgia testified regarding efforts in those states, led by persons with disabilities, to restore and preserve state institution cemeteries. Persons with disabilities and their families testified, including those seeking to learn the grave site location of a relative or friend who died while residing in a state facility. Following the hearing, the Select Committee published a report entitled, "Historic Use and Current Status of Cemeteries at California State Hospital & Developmental Centers." That report reflected witness testimony, including the status of cemeteries at state hospitals and state developmental centers. SB 1448: * Requires the State of California to assist persons with disabilities in efforts to locate and preserve the grave sites of state hospital/developmental center residents who died and were buried on state lands, or lands designated by the state for burial. * Requires the California Department of Mental Health (CDMH) to reveal all persons who have died while residing at a state hospital or a developmental center, including (within existing resources), identifying the location of gravesites on state hospital and developmental center lands or grave sites located on other lands designated by the State for burial of state hospital/developmental center residents. The inventory would also include the names and location of the remains of persons whose remains were donated for medical research. * Requires the CDMH to compile the complete deceaseds’ inventory in coordination with a task force of various organizations representing persons with disabilities and with other state agencies including the Departments of General Services, Developmental Services, the Secretary of State, and the California State Library. * Requires CDMH, in coordination with other state agencies and the task force, to assist and cooperate with the California Memorial Project in conducting research regarding the records of deaths and burials of persons at state hospitals/developmental centers, and to grant access to state records as necessary to perform the inventories described in the bill. * The information required shall be limited to the name, date of birth, date of death, and photographic images of any person who died while in residency at any state hospital/developmental center to be made available for the purposes of the implementation of this bill. * Requires the CDMH to assist the California Memorial Project in developing a plan for the restoration of the grave sites and cemeteries on state hospital and developmental center grounds (or located on other land designated by the state for burial of state hospital or developmental center residents). * Requires the CDMH develop procedures for the future burial of any residents who die while residing in a state hospital or developmental center and whose remains are not claimed by a family member. * Requires the CDMH establish a task force, with specified members, to provide direction. * Requires the CDMH to submit a progress report to the
Legislature regarding the implementation of the bill, no later than 31 January
2004. VOTE "YES" ON PROP 63* IN NOVEMBER!
Last Updated on 08/23/04 webmaster@namiscc.org |
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