Sept. 16, 2019.Indd
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6,250 subscribers www.TML1.org Volume 70, Number 14 Sept. 16, 2019 House elects new leadership in Special Session It’s official. Cameron Sexton was elected by the members of the Tennessee House of Repre- sentatives to be the Speaker of the House, during a special called TML legislative process legislative session in August. Sexton was elected 94-0, with underway for 2020 session two democrats abstaining. The TML policy process is un- Only “fully completed” pro- Sexton, 48, is currently serving derway for proposed legislative posals that meet the following his fifth term in the state House. initiatives for the second session of requirements are being considered Last year, he was elected to the 111th General Assembly. City • The proposed initiative must the position of GOP Caucus Chair officials were asked to submit their be submitted using the online Pro- for the House Republicans. Rep. Cameron Sexton Rep. Curtis Johnson proposals by Sept. 6. posed Legislative Initiative Form, Jeremy Faison was elected by the Speaker of the House Deputy Speaker The TML Policy Committee provided by TML. GOP Caucus to fill that leadership will meet on Oct. 16, in the TML • All sections of the Proposed position. building located at 226 Anne Dal- Legislative Initiative Form must Other changes in leadership Rep. Andy Holt, who moved to las Dudley Boulevard in Nashville. be completed, including: sum- include Rep. Curtis Johnson who chairman of the Agriculture sub- Any municipality submitting a mary of the problem, description was appointed by Speaker Sexton committee. The speaker also created proposed legislative initiative must of the proposed remedy, and a to deputy speaker, replacing Rep. a new Appropriations subcommittee attend the meeting and present its statement of the anticipated bene- Matthew Hill. to be chaired by Rep. Matthew Hill. initiative to the TML Policy Com- fits to municipalities. In addition, Other members of the GOP Other changes include: mittee. municipalities are encouraged leadership team remained as ap- • Rep. Robin Smith, chair, Insur- The TML Policy Committee is to submit, either by reference or pointed by former Speaker Casa- ance committee; comprised of nine members: the by separate copy, background da. They are Bill Dunn, Speaker • Rep. Ron Travis, chair, Busi- eight elected district directors and or supplemental information in Pro Tempore; and William Lam- nesses subcommittee; the current 2nd vice president of the support of their submission. A berth, Republican Leader. • Rep. Ryan Williams, chair, member-municipality may submit Life and Health subcommit- TML Board of Directors. The 2nd For the most part, Sexton left Rep. Jeremy Faison more than one proposed initiative; tee; vice president serves as chairman most of the committee assign- GOP Caucus Chair and all nine members of the com- however, a separate form must be ments made by Casada intact. • Rep. David Hawk, chair, mittee have voting privileges. completed for each submission. However, there were some notable TennCare subcommittee; The committee will meet to con- • The Proposed Legislative changes including naming Rep. • Rep. Bob Ramsey, chair, • Rep. Jay Reedy, chair, Public sider and rank only those legisla- Initiative Form must be signed by Gary Hicks as the chairman of the Departments and Agencies Service, and Employees sub- tive initiatives that have been fully at least three eligible local officials Finance subcommittee, replacing subcommittee; and committee. completed and presented to the of the sponsoring municipality. committee for consideration. Any However, if the municipality’s initiative that lacks the required governing body is comprised of 30 years later, ADA plays important role signatures or, otherwise, fails to four or fewer members, then only meet the requirements will not be two signatures are required. An in municipal employment, public services considered by the committee. See POLICY on Page 5 By KATE COIL TML Communications Specialist Proper communication vital to Nearly 30 years after it was signed into law, there are often still serving needs of deaf citizens questions and concerns surrounding By KATE COIL compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). When she begins her talks Signed into law in 1990, the with law enforcement through- ADA seeks to prohibit discrimina- out the state of Tennessee, Poppy tion based on ability. An amended Steele often begins with a story version of the ADA was signed into about a girl named Molly. law in 2009 with updated definitions Most people don’t under- and protections. stand the story the first time There are numerous ways in Steele tells it; she uses sign lan- which municipalities must comply guage to relate the tale of Molly’s with ADA ranging from making life. When no one in the room can public transportation and sidewalks understand what Steele is telling accessible to providing alternative them, she speaks the story aloud Poppy Steele forms of communication at city hall as she signs. hair you wouldn’t see those. The and public meetings to municipal “My name is Molly,” Steele deaf are just like normal people; hiring processes to any federal- said. “I’m a six-year-old little they just need an accommoda- ly-funded programs. Those who girl. I love the color purple. I tion. If you walk into a room are discriminated against can seek love Skittles. I love ponies. My full of deaf people and you are financial, legal, and injunctive relief mom is a drug addict who sells the only one who can hear, you against municipalities. me in exchange for drug money. For many municipalities, ADA are the one who needs an ac- Municipalities must be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities I can’t tell anyone because I have issues can be divided into two major commodation. Everyone else is Act (ADA) both as employers and as providers of public services. no family who signs. I have no speaking a language you don’t categories: being compliant as an friends who signs. None of my understand. Deafness is a differ- employer and being compliant as Title I of the ADA states that activity or that person has a record teachers sign. If help does come, ent kind of disability. Deafness is a provider of government services. “employers are prohibited from of such an impairment,” Stokes said. they don’t bring an interpreter.” only a disability if we make it so. discriminating against otherwise “If a person has been treated for a Steele said Molly’s story Deafness is about a lack of access ADA AND EMPLOYMENT qualified individuals with a disabil- disability or impairment, they then isn’t uncommon among mem- to communication.” Richard Stokes, human resourc- ity who can perform the essential have a record of that disability or bers of the deaf community. Deafness is one of the most es consultant with MTAS, said that functions of the job with or without impairment and are covered under “The truth is, there are common birth defects reported in while many feel there is no discrim- an accommodation.” Stokes said the act. People with cosmetic disfig- Molly’s all over the state of Ten- the U.S. with one in every 1,000 ination against the disabled in their this extends to hiring or discharging uration like scars or burns and those nessee,” Steele said to attendees babies born deaf. Approximately community, there is evidence to the employees as well as how employ- who are missing limbs may be able at the TML Annual Conference 20 percent of the U.S. population contrary. The amount of complaints ees are paid and trained. to go about their lives just fine, but in Memphis. “Statistics say that has some sort of hearing loss. filed related to disability issues “The ADA defines a person we treat them differently. Because 50 percent of deaf children are Despite this, Steele said accom- with the state’s Equal Employment with a disability as a person who has we treat them differently, they are abused, but the limited studies modations often aren’t made for Opportunity Commission (EEOC) a physical or mental impairment that regarded as being impaired and are have been done with college the deaf or hard of hearing. have been on the rise. substantially limits one or more life See ADA on Page 5 students. Only 5 percent of deaf “I have found that many children make it to college. Of places are fine paying for a ramp that 5 percent, half say they have or setting aside a parking space Collierville announces plans to phase been abused. If you extrapolate, for the handicapped, but you the percentage of that other 95 change that request to providing percent of deaf children who are a sign language interpreter, all of out glass recycling amid rising costs abused is going to be even higher. a sudden there is an argument,” BY JENNIFER CASEY I’ve heard statistics as high as 90 she said. “This is something Collierville PIO percent of deaf children experi- people don’t want to provide an encing some kind of abuse.” accommodation for.” Quite simply, recycling is just Additionally, one in four Of a recent survey of police not as easy as it used to be. deaf women are the victim of departments in Tennessee, Steele Global markets are not accepting domestic violence and one in said 8 percent reported attending as many recycled materials as they three deaf women have been a basic ASL training, 56 percent have in the past, costs are rising the victims of sexual assault. had access to ASL hardware or for local recycling programs, and Incidents of neglect and physical software, and 39 percent report- certain materials such as glass are abuse are also 25 percent higher ed using interpreters to deliver causing contamination issues.