OVR now under Governor’s Office

Gov. Juan N. Babauta has signed a bill into law which now transfers the Office of the Vocational Rehabilitation from the Department of Public Health to the Governor’s Office.

Authored by Rep. Jesus T. Attao, House Bill 14-357, states that the placement of OVR within the DPH is inappropriate, noting that DPH’s nature of services is different from OVR, which is to prepare people with disabilities for employment and independence.

“The OVR does not directly provide health-related, medical, or physical and mental restoration services as does DPH,” states the bill.

It cited that even the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services noted that although VR agencies may pay for a member’s diagnosis and treatment, the provision of medical care is not the primary purpose of the program.

Babauta, in a letter to the Legislature, said he fully supports the measure because it will enhance the OVR’s ability to provide essential services to individuals with disabilities and to the employers who gain valued employees with excellent training and experience.

Babauta, however, raised two issues that he said should be addressed in subsequent legislation.

He cited that, as pointed out by the Attorney General’s Office, 1 CMC section 2603 (d) provides that one of the duties of DPH is to establish and administer programs regarding vocational rehabilitation.

He said this subsection must be amended accordingly.

He also said that H.B. 14-357 provides that the director of OVR shall be appointed by the governor but it does not indicate whether the salary for the position is exempt from the salary cap of $45,000 per annum for “unclassified directors.”

He said that certain classified (civil service) directors of public benefits programs are receiving or have received in excess of $45,000 in annual salary.

In order to enable OVR to retain a qualified director, he said that the salary of the top administrative officer of the agency should be exempted from the salary cap as cited in section 515 of Public Law 13-24

“I urge the author and members of the 14th Legislature to introduce and pass subsequent legislation for my immediate approval that addresses the issues raised by the AGO,” said Babauta.

H.B. 14-357 becomes P.L. 14-81. (Liberty Dones)