Judge rules against Murray parents; DHS says “long process” ahead

Parents of Murray Developmental Center residents are now assessing their options after a federal judge decided to lift an injunction that had kept the facility open over the state’s objections.

On July 21, federal Judge Marvin Aspen lifted a previous injuction and denied a request by the Murray Parents Association to halt the closure. The Parents Association, with the strong backing of AFSCME, has contended that the state’s plan for caring for Murray residents after a closure was inadequate.

For more than two years, AFSCME has worked with the MPA and other concerned groups to keep Murray Center open, preventing transfers of residents. . Murray Center employees have testified in court and at hearings and have built support in the community for keeping the facility open.

The parents of Murray Center residents are now deciding whether to appeal the judge’s ruling. In the meantime, AFSCME will continue to fight for both Murray residents and the hard-working employees who have provided care to them for years.

The Health Facilities and Services Review Board must approve a closure permit. According to the Board’s website, the earliest the Board would hear the permit application request is October 7. When the Board meets, AFSCME will be there to make the case against closure.

Department of Human Services spokesperson Januari Smith has said closing Murray Center will be “a long process,” adding that the state has no timetable for carrying out the closure. Smith said DHS was talking with the parents of residents “about all the living options that are available.”