Families speak against closing rehab centers

Some families of people with disabilities are urging Missouri lawmakers not to close residential care facilities in an attempt to save money.

About three dozen people spoke Tuesday at the state Capitol about why the state habilitation centers are important to their family members.

A bill in the Senate calls for the Department of Mental Health to submit a plan to transfer people from habilitation centers to local or private facilities by 2018. The department says the state could save $75 per day for each person transferred.

A similar House bill last year did not make it to a vote by the full chamber. This year's Senate bill must be heard by a committee.