Federal judge OKs DOJ settlement

Excerpt from News Leader: (click for entire article)

A federal judge Friday said he would approve a $2 billion settlement between the Commonwealth and U.S. Justice Department designed to expand community-based services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

But before Judge John A. Gibney enters the agreement into the court record, he wants a provision added that would give residents of state institutions the option to remain in a state-run facility.

Gibney's closing statement at a hearing Friday came after nearly five hours of testimony from experts and from relatives of people with disabilities living successfully in the community, as well as relatives of people who've resided much of their lives in large, state institutions or training centers.