AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAM.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 17a-316a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):

(a) The Commissioner on Aging shall develop and administer a [Community Choices] program to provide a single, coordinated system of information and access for individuals seeking long-term support, including in-home, community-based and institutional services. The [Community Choices] program shall be the state Aging and Disability Resource Center Program in accordance with the federal Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006, P.L. 109-365 and shall be administered as part of the Department on Aging's CHOICES program in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 17a-314. Consumers served by the [Community Choices] program shall include, but not be limited to, those sixty years of age or older and those eighteen years of age or older with disabilities and caregivers.

(b) The [Community Choices] program shall, within available resources, provide (1) information, referral and assistance concerning aging and disability issues and long-term care planning; (2) comprehensive assessments to identify possible consumer needs or desires; (3) counseling for purposes of obtaining (A) employment or employment-related services, (B) screening for public benefits and private resources, and (C) information on long-term care planning; (4) follow-up to ensure consumer referrals were appropriate and to offer additional assistance and individual advocacy if needed; (5) support to consumers making decisions about current and future supports and services; (6) coordination of transitions between providers or sites of care; (7) preparation and distribution of written materials regarding the availability of [Community Choices] program services; (8) maintenance of a toll-free telephone number; (9) assistance in improving and managing the program, monitoring quality and measuring responsiveness of systems of care; (10) assistance as necessary to conform to federal and other grant requirements; and (11) other related services.

(c) The commissioner shall establish program requirements and procedures for entering into agreements to operate the [Community Choices] program. The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

Statement of Legislative Commissioners:

In Subsec. (a), "CHOICES program in accordance with section 17a-314" was changed to "CHOICES program in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 17a-314" for accuracy and clarity.