|
|
Article: State law discriminates against people with disabilities, federal lawsuit says Communities have power to close group homes
- Article from:
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)
- Article date:
- August 20, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1998 The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
|
A state law giving communities the power to close group homes for
people with disabilities is discriminatory and should be struck down,
a federal lawsuit filed against the state contends.
The law also violates federal laws that supersede it, according to
the suit.
The Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy and three individual
plaintiffs also named as a defendant the Town of Pittsfield,
challenging the Brown County municipality's plan to hold an Aug. 31
hearing on whether a group home there "poses a threat to the health,
safety or welfare" of surrounding residents.
Under state law, if the group home is found to pose such a threat,
the town could order the facility to close unless it gets ...