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Kansas Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing

2401 E. 13th Street (785) 625-6942 (V/TTY) 
Hays, KS 67601 (785) 625-2334 (fax)

ALERT
January 30, 2001
Re: Housing Visitability bill, HB 2020

Is everyone ready for action? As you know, Kansas' bill for basic access in housing (visitability) has been reintroduced - the new bill number is House Bill 2020. It's been referred to the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs, chaired by Rep. Doug Mays, Topeka.

Our most important job right now is to urge Chairman Mays to schedule a hearing. We can also work on educating members of the committee about the bill and ask them to talk to Mays about scheduling a hearing. Now is the time!

First, contact Rep. Mays by mail, phone, fax, or email and convey the following message:

• Please schedule a hearing on House Bill 2020 in the Federal and State Affairs committee
• This is an important civil rights initiative necessary to ensure that housing built with public money is accessible to everyone!
• If you have the opportunity, consider sharing why housing visitability is important to you personally

Rep. Doug Mays, Topeka District 85 
Address: 170-W State Capitol, Topeka, KS 66612
Phone: (785) 296-7668
Fax: (785) 368-6365 (mailroom)
Email: mays@house.state.ks.us 

Second, contact members of the committee, especially any from your area. Some handy talking points:

Support House Bill 2020 and ask Chairman Mays to schedule a hearing. 
The Special Committee on Federal and State Affairs studied the bill this summer and unanimously agreed to introduce it this session. Also, the bill passed overwhelmingly in the Senate last session.

The bill would require 5 basic accessibility features in single-family, duplex and triplex housing built or remodeled using public dollars (state or federal assistance administered by the State). This is about civil rights, about using public money in a manner that is accessible to everyone. The bill would not apply to any owner-occupied private homes, just housing developers. The requirements for housing rehabilitation are very limited and only apply to remodeled features affected by any of the five design requirements; it merely prevents old barriers from being rebuilt. By making more houses "visit-able," the bill will help counteract the isolation people with disabilities experience when we are unable to visit friends and family who live in inaccessible homes; it would also expand our housing choices.

Please contact Becca Vaughn (Topeka) at 800-443-2207 or Robin Tropper (Hays) at 800-569-5926 if you have any questions or would like a copy of the bill. Also, please remember to gather letters of support ASAP and forward them to Becca. Thanks for all your hard work! Let's keep our momentum rolling! 

House Federal and State Affairs Committee

Rep. Becky Hutchins, Holton / District 50 / 785-296-7698
hutchins@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Lisa Benlon, Shawnee / District 17 / 785-296-7652
benlon@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Ray Cox, Bonner Springs / District 39 / 785-296-7689 
cox@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Don Dahl, Hillsboro / District 70 / 785-296-7659 
dahl@house.state.ks.us
Rep. John Edmonds, Great Bend / District 112 / 785-296-7681
edmonds@house.state.ks.us
Rep. John Faber, Brewster / District 120 / 785-296-7699 
faber@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Joann Freeborn, Concordia / District 107 / 785-296-7645
freeborn@house.state.ks.us
Rep. William Mason, El Dorado / District 75 / 785-296-7636
mason@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Judy Morrison, Shawnee / District 23 / 785-296-7678
morrisonj@house.state.ks.us 
Rep. Tom Burroughs, KC / District 33 / 785-296-7688 
burroughs@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Ruby Gilbert, Wichita / District 89 / 785-296-7691 
gilbert@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Broderick Henderson, KC / District 35 / 785-296-7656
henderson@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Ethel Peterson, Dodge City / District 116 / 785-296-7657
petersone@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Rick Rehorn, KC / District 32 / 785-296-7680 
rehorn@house.state.ks.us
Rep. L. Candy Ruff, Leavenworth / District 40 / 785-296-7647
ruff@house.state.ks.us 
Rep. Tony Powell, Wichita / District 85 / 785-296-7694 
powell@house.state.ks.us
Rep. Mary Pilcher Cook, Shawnee / District 18 / 785-296-7667
Rep. Joe McLeland, Wichita / District 94 / 785-296-7695
Rep. Todd Novascone, Wichita / District 99 / 785-296-7659
Rep. Daniel Williams, Olathe / District 14 / 785-296-7699
Rep. Melany Barnes, Wichita / District 95 / 785-296-7665
Rep. R.J. Wilson, Pittsburg / District 3 / 785-296-7643

Chairman: Rep. Doug Mays, Topeka / District 85 / 785-296-7668
mays@house.state.ks.us