Press Releases
Rep. Molinaro Introduces First Bill As Member of Congress to Help Individuals with Disabilities Access Support Services & ResourcesMolinaro Brings Successful Think DIFFERENTLY Initiative to Federal Level By Authoring Bipartisan Bill To Establish Comprehensive National Website With Resources for Individuals with Disabilities
Washington,
January 31, 2023
Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (R, NY-19) today introduced his first bill, the Think DIFFERENTLY Database Act. This bipartisan bill creates a comprehensive and easy-to-access website that includes support services and resources available to individuals with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities. This measure was inspired by Rep. Molinaro’s successful ‘ThinkDIFFERENTLY’ initiative, which challenged local residents, businesses, and municipalities to break down barriers for those with disabilities. Rep. Molinaro introduced this bipartisan bill alongside U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11). Watch Rep. Molinaro talk about his first bill here. Individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers are currently forced to navigate a confusing patchwork of federal, state, and local resources to find and access the services they need. By creating a comprehensive and easy-to-access national website, the Think DIFFERENTLY Database Act will help individuals access resources that meet their unique needs. Rep. Molinaro said, “Today, I introduced the Think DIFFERENTLY Database Act, which builds off my work in local government to encourage our community to break down barriers for individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Currently, many individuals with disabilities, families, and caregivers don’t know what services are available to them. My bipartisan bill helps solve this by creating a first-of-its-kind national website with federal and state resources for individuals with disabilities. This site will be a one-stop shop for locating resources that support and empower individuals with disabilities. This measure represents an important first step for the federal government to begin living up to its promise to support individuals with disabilities and I am proud to make this my first bill as a Member of Congress.” Specifically, the Think DIFFERENTLY Database Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a comprehensive website that includes:
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