2018 -- H 7172

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LC003794

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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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: Representatives Carson, Morin, Fogarty, Regunberg, and Ruggiero

     Date Introduced: January 17, 2018

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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CHAPTER 66.12

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THE RHODE ISLAND AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER

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     42-66.12-1. Short title.

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

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Disability Resource Center Act".

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     42-66.12-2. Purpose.

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

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

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

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

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resource center (ADRC) is a state multi-agency effort. It consists of a centrally operated,

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coordinated system of information, referral and options counseling for all persons seeking long-

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term supports and services in order to enhance individual choice, foster informed decision-

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making and minimize confusion and duplication.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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services to assist individuals with limited English language skills;

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

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

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

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

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integrated long-term care;

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

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

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

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circumstances;

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

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

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tools into the website;

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

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

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

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maintaining and providing ADRC services; and

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

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

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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

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

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

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providers.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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