§18-10M-1. Short Title

This article shall be known and may be cited as the "West Virginia Independent Living Act".

§18-10M-2. Legislative Findings and Declarations

The Legislature hereby finds and declares the following: (1) The state recognizes the value of independent living services in maximizing the ability of people with disabilities to live more independently in their own homes and communities.

§18-10M-3. Purpose

The purpose of this article is to authorize, facilitate or provide for services and activities that will enable individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible in their own homes and communities; to promote the philosophy of independent living, including consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access and individual and systems advocacy; to […]

§18-10M-4. Definitions

Terms used in this article have the same meanings as those provided in the federal Rehabilitation Act, as amended, as follows: (a) “Consumer control” means circumstances in which individuals with disabilities having decision-making authority. (b) “Council” means the Statewide Independent Living Council. (c) “Designated state entity” means the entity designated in the state plan for […]

§18-10M-5. Eligibility for Services

Any individual with a significant disability, as defined in the state plan, is eligible for services that may be made available pursuant to this article.

§18-10M-6. Statewide Independent Living Council

(a) The West Virginia Statewide Independent Living Council is continued as a not-for-profit corporation which has been organized to meet the requirements of the federal Rehabilitation Act, as amended. The council may not be established as an entity within any agency or political subdivision of the state. The council shall be governed by a board […]

§18-10M-7. State Plan for Independent Living

(a) The state plan shall direct the use of federal funds provided to the state under the federal act and appropriated by the Legislature to the designated state entity in a line item for this purpose, in addition to any state funds that may be appropriated to the designated state entity for the provision of […]

§18-10M-8. Funding and Grants

(a) Funds appropriated to the designated state entity for independent living services shall be administered by the designated state entity and may be used to fund any service or activity included in the state plan for independent living, including funding centers for independent living. In order to qualify for funding, a center for independent living […]