2017 -- S 0270

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LC001435

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND AGING

AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

     Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 66.12

THE RHODE ISLAND AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

     42-66.12-1. Short title.

     This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Rhode Island Aging and

Disability Resource Center Act".

     42-66.12-2. Purpose.

     To assist Rhode Islanders and their families in making informed choices and decisions

about long-term service and support options and to streamline access to long-term supports and

services for older adults, persons with disabilities, family caregivers and providers, a statewide

aging and disability resource center shall be maintained. The Rhode Island aging and disability

resource center (ADRC) is a collaborative federal and state multi-agency effort led by the U.S.

Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). It consists of

a centrally operated, coordinated system of information, referral and options counseling for all

persons seeking long-term supports and services in order to enhance individual choice, foster

informed decision-making and minimize confusion and duplication.

     42-66.12-3. Aging and disability resource center established.

     The Rhode Island aging and disability resource center (ADRC) shall be established and

operated by the department of human services, division of elderly affairs (DEA) in collaboration

with other agencies within the executive office of health and human services. The division of

elderly affairs shall build on its experience in development and implementation of the current

ADRC program. The ADRC is an integral part of the Rhode Island system of long-term supports

and services working to promote the state's long-term system rebalancing goals by diverting

persons, when appropriate, from institutional care to home and community-based services and

preventing short-term institutional stays from becoming permanent through options counseling

and screening for eligibility for home and community-based services.

     42-66.12-4. Aging and disability resource center service directives.

     (a) The aging and disability resource center (ADRC) shall provide for the following:

     (l) A statewide toll-free ADRC information number available during business hours with

a messaging system to respond to after-hours calls during the next business day and language

services to assist individuals with limited English language skills;

     (2) A comprehensive database of information, updated on a regular basis and accessible

through a dedicated website, on the full range of available public and private long-term support

and service programs, service providers and resources within the state and in specific

communities, including information on housing supports, transportation and the availability of

integrated long-term care;

     (3) Personal options counseling, including implementing provisions required in §40-8.9-

9, to assist individuals in assessing their existing or anticipated long-term care needs, and

assisting them to develop and implement a plan designed to meet their specific needs and

circumstances;

     (4) A means to link callers to the ADRC information line to interactive long-term care

screening tools and to make these tools available through the ADRC website by integrating the

tools into the website;

     (5) Development of partnerships, through memorandum agreements or other

arrangements, with other entities serving older adults and persons with disabilities, including

those working on nursing home transition and hospital discharge programs, to assist in

maintaining and providing ADRC services; and

     (6) Community education and outreach activities to inform persons about the ADRC

services, in finding information through the Internet and in planning for future long-term care

needs including housing and community service options.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE RHODE ISLAND AGING

AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

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     This act would establish within the department of human services, division of elderly

affairs (DEA), the Rhode Island aging and disability resource center (ADRC) as part of the Rhode

Island system of long-term care for older adults, persons with disabilities, family caregivers and

providers.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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