U.S. District Court Judge To Hear Status Of COVID-19 Supports For Rhode Islanders With DD

NOTE: THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT HEARING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 28 HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL A DATE TO BE DETERMINED, according to a notice posted in the case file the afternoon of April 27.

By Gina Macris

Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. of the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island will hold a hearing Tuesday. April 28 - accessible to the public by telephone - on the state’s supports for adults with developmental disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

McConnell oversees implementation of a 2014 consent decree and companion agreement mandating integration of adults with developmental disabilities in the workplace and in the community, but he has modified the requirements to cover “essential services and supports” necessary for the health and safety of the protected class in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The judge will hold a video conference with lawyers for the U.S. Department of Justice, the state, and with the independent court monitor, A. Anthony Antosh, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Those who want to listen may dial in to Judge McConnell’s dedicated public access line at 866-390-1828 and enter the access code 3402145. A public notice on telephonic public access to hearings in the U.S. District Court, available by on the court’s website or by clicking here, warns that proceedings may not be recorded.