Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Diabetic Dog bill passes

The House and Senate approved HB# 1405 this week. The bill allows parents to record individual educational program meeting with school employees. An IEP meeting is held with parents of disabled children to compose an educational program as required under federal law. The bill also includes a section that states:

"SECTION 4. (1) The Legislature recognizes the necessity of school districts to provide reasonable accommodations to students and licensed employees of a school district who are diagnosed with debilitating illnesses or disabilities, including, but not limited to, diabetes and epilepsy.

(2)The school board of any school district shall authorize the use, in all district facilities and property, of service or assistance dogs which have been specifically trained to alert people of symptoms or conditions resulting from a debilitating illness or disability that threaten their health.
" Copy of bill

The bill also mandates the user of the dog must prepare a written 504 plan and an additional plan for educating students about the "appropriate behavior" around a dog and how children allergic to the dog should handle it.

The bill was passed after the Scott County School Board refused to let a teacher, Christina McCurdy, bring her service dog to school. Jinx is a boxer specially trained to detect changes in blood sugar. As the blood sugar levels change, the skin secretes a smell (experts have told me it smells like fruit.). The dog detects the new scent and quietly starts tapping the leg of the diabetic. Ms. McCurdy's dog cost $25,000. Ms. McCurdy has been a type I diabetic since she was four years old.

Representative Earl Banks authored a bill that would have allowed the use of such dogs in public schools. Representatives Banks and Tom Miles pushed the bill in the House. It passed unanimously but died in the Senate Education Committee.

A big thanks goes to Senators Gray Tollison and Will Longwitz. Frankly, the bill's death snuck by me as I was at the House Education Committee vote on charter schools while the immigration and fetal heartbeat bills were dealt with on the same day in committee. In other words, it got lost in the shuffle. I found out the next day and contacted Senator Longwitz. I'll be damned if a redneck school board is going to treat someone I've known for over ten years so badly because of their medical ignorance so I went to war. I've seen Ms. McCurdy hospitalized numerous times because of her diabetes. The dog has made a huge difference in her life as it detects the changes before she can. Having the dog allows her to live independently as she would have to live with her parents if it was not available.

I explained the need for the bill to Senator Longwitz and that it passed the House unanimously. He spoke to Senator Tollison, who examined the bill and found another bill where the language could be inserted. I emailed the Lieutenant Governor's staff and explained the need for the bill to them as well.  Senator Tollison did the heavy lifting, checked with other legislators, and inserted the language in the conference committee. The bill was approved by both houses and is now awaiting the Governor's signature. This wasn't a Democrat or Republican issue, it was an issue of helping someone who wanted to help herself but was blocked by a school system.  If anyone deserves full credit, it is Senator Gray Tollison. 

Note: The Scott County School Board finally approved the use of her dog two weeks ago and directed the school to meet with her about a plan. The principal finally allowed her to bring the dog to school.. last week, right before the end of the school year. However, this bill will allow teachers and students such as Ms. McCurdy to escape the whims of similar school boards.

10 comments:

NMissC said...

Good work, Kingfish.

Bethany said...

GO Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi!!!

Anonymous said...

Now, if you can get your school board to agree to a 504 plan or that one is needed....

KaptKangaroo said...

Nice Job! Thanks Will and all involved to finally figure out the right thing to do.

Kingfish said...

Oh really? And where exactly was the Diabetes Foundation in all this? No where. Period. They did nothing to lobby for this bill in its original House version. I know, I was there at the legislature. There were no emails, no letters, no nothing. There was nothing this time around. In other words, they want your money but didn't do anything to change anything or help those who need diabetic dogs.

But I bet they throw good fund-raisers on Thursday nights that look good in VIP Magazine.

al sage said...

Kingfish, are you sure that DFM didn't have anything to do with this law passing? I'm chairman-elect and I spent a good bit of time on it. I also see some words I wrote in the part of the bill dealing with alert dogs.

If you would like to discuss this, call me. The DFM office can give you my number.

Al Sage

Kingfish said...

You know, I was going to be nice but after Ms McCurdy called me at 6:00 AM this morning and told me she had gotten four emails from you people since I made that comment last night, I've had it and I'm done being nice.

She had NOTHING to do with that comment whatsoever. Nothing. For those of you in Scott County that means nada. Y'all are out of bounds harassing her.

The truth is Al, the bill died in committee because NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT. They all told me they just plain forgot about it. Period. Now as a lobbyist, that is something that YOU should have been doing. Something that should not have happened. At least they could've said it didn't come up on the calendar, they had more important stuff etc. Nope didn't happen. What happened was no one told them about the bill so they could bring it up. I at least admitted I forgot about it as I was chasing other bills or else I would have notified them. When I spoke to the Lt. Governor's staff, and that means more than one, none of them knew about it either. Want to know why? Because you or none of your people bothered to tell them about it.

As I said, you and your assn sent out no emails, no bulletins, no website updates. At least take lessons from Nancy Loome. In fact, Ms. McCurdy got more emails from them in the last 24 hours then they sent out promoting the bill during the entire session.

Then you stuck your nose in somewhere late in the game and want to claim credit. Sorry, doesn't work that way. I stayed on top of this one behind the scenes. They would've forgotten about it if I hadn't brought it up and stayed in constant contact with them and I have the phone logs and emails to prove it. Frankly, when you say you spent a good bit of time on it, I don't believe you because those efforts were a well-kept secret if they happened.

yes, I've gone too far in this comment but when I hear about this crap this morning, I'm throwing out the yardstick and worrying about if I go too far or not. The fact is, y'all let this teacher down, nothing was done, and only when someone got in there and started pushing for it AFTER it died did anything happen.

But by all means claim credit.

and as I said, she has had nothing to do with any of this. She is just a simple schoolteacher trying to live with her condition and teach her kids.

Kingfish said...

And yes, this should've been handled in a phone call or email but when y'all decided to come in here and make public comments, I'm responding in the same fashion.

Anonymous said...

As the 990s you've posted over the years attest too many foundations and non-profits in Jackson are little more than glorified employment agencies where too much of the fundraising goes only to help pay whacked out salaries that are way, way above market versus similar jobs demanding far more in the way of results found in the private sector.

Anonymous said...

Interesting story that is all too familiar to those who have experience with the leigislative process, as I do.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.