§ 30-10-1 — Legislative findings

The General Assembly finds and declares the following: (1) It is an essential function of state government to provide basic support for persons with one or more mental or physical impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities, whether the impairments are congenital or occur by reason of accident, injury, age, or disease; (2) The cost of providing basic support for persons with mental or physical impairments is difficult for many citizens to afford, and they are forced to rely upon the government to provide that support; (3) The families and friends of persons with mental or physical impairments desire to supplement, but not replace, the basic support provided by state government and other governmental programs; (4) Medical, social, and other supplemental services are often provided by family members and friends of persons with mental or physical impairments for the lifetime of the impaired persons; and (5) It is necessary and desirable for the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this state to encourage, enhance, and foster the ability of family members and friends of those individuals with mental or physical impairments to supplement, but not to replace, the basic support provided by state government and other governmental programs and to provide for medical, social, or other supplemental services for those persons with impairments.