Heller & Kriseman Honored by Developmental Disabilities Council.

Congratulations to Florida House members Bill Heller and Rick Kriseman for being honored as "Outstanding legislators by the Developmental Disabilities Council. Both Heller and Kriseman have championed civil rights for the disabled.

Representative Heller was honored for co-sponsoring HB 1073, a bill concerning notification of parents whose children are subjected to restraint and seclusion procedures in the classroom. “This additional oversight will go far toward protecting the welfare and rights of these children,” wrote Susan Gold, chair, Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. in a July 6 congratulatory letter to Representative Heller.

Representative Kriseman (D-St. Petersburg) was honored for his sponsorship of an amendment to Senate Bill 1166, a bill dealing with Planned Residential Communities. The amendment clarified that these communities would include individuals without disabilities as well as those with developmental disabilities.