ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2596	By:	Morrissette, Nelson, Ownbey, Wright (Harold) and Tibbs of the House

			     and

		Coates and Corn of the Senate

An Act relating to poor persons; amending Section 7, Chapter 315, O.S.L. 2006 (56 O.S. Supp. 2009, Section 1011.7), which relates to the plan to implement alternatives for long-term care; specifying content of the cash and counseling program; providing for noncodification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:

SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law not to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:

Section 2 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Empower-OK Act".

SECTION 2.     AMENDATORY     Section 7, Chapter 315, O.S.L. 2006 (56 O.S. Supp. 2009, Section 1011.7), is amended to read as follows:

Section 1011.7  The Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall develop and administer a plan for the implementation of alternatives for long-term care.  The plan shall include, but not be limited to:

1.  The continued development and funding of community-based options throughout the State of Oklahoma;

2.  The establishment of a cash and counseling program that focuses on increasing personal responsibility, efficiency in utilization, and consumer satisfaction.  The program shall include:

a.	provisions ensuring that existing benefits shall not be terminated or decreased as a result of the development of the cash and counseling program,

b.	provisions ensuring that consumers receive a monthly budget based on the needs of that individual,

c.	authority for consumers to use the budget to obtain personal care services and make home modifications to suit the needs of the individual, and

d.	counselors available to work with consumers to develop and revise individual budgets;

3.  The establishment of a program providing for state incentives to Oklahoma citizens for long-term care planning; and

4.  Stronger private/public partnerships at the community level in order to address unmet patient needs.

SECTION 3.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2010.

Passed the House of Representatives the 17th day of May, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the House of
	Representatives

Passed the Senate the 21st day of May, 2010.

	
Presiding Officer of the Senate