Constitution Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Class Action Lawsuits for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Constitution and Civil Justice will hold a hearing titled, “Examining Class Action Lawsuits against Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.” This hearing will discuss the importance of intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (CFs/IID) and potential legislative solutions to protect those with intellectual disabilities. Witnesses include:

•          Martha Bryant, Mother and RN, BSN, Amherst County, Virginia
•          Caroline Lahrmann, Mother and former President of VOR, Columbus, Ohio
•          Alison Barkoff, Director of Advocacy, Center for Public Representation
•          Peter Kinzler, Father and Attorney, Alexandria, Virginia

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) has issued the following statements ahead of the hearing: Chairman Goodlatte: “I have heard from concerned parents and guardians in Virginia who have been forced against their will to move their loved ones with intellectual disabilities into new facilities that don’t provide an adequate quality of care. These heartbreaking stories underscore a larger problem within our justice system that puts individuals with disabilities at risk. I look forward to attending this hearing and having the chance to listen to witnesses whose children have been impacted.” Background: During the 112^th Congress, Chairman Goodlatte, along with Rep. Barney Frank, introduced H.R. 2032, “To protect the interests of each resident of intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded in class action lawsuits by federally-funded entities involving such residents and in Department of Justice actions that could result in an agreement to move such a resident from that resident's facility.” In 2013, the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to then-Attorney General Eric Holder, regarding concerns over lawsuits seeking to reduce the population of Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID). The Committee renewed these concerns in a 2017 letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions. This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at judiciary.house.gov. Camera crews wishing to cover must be congressionally credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.