Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to HHS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
developmental homes; licensure; investigations
Purpose
Outlines requirements and permissions relating to the licensing, renewal and inspections of adult and child developmental homes.
Background
The Department of Economic Security (DES) provides services for low income households and others in need through the following divisions: 1) Administration; 2) Developmental Disabilities; 3) Benefits and Medical Eligibility; 4) Child Support Enforcement; 5) Aging and Community Services; and 6) Employment and Rehabilitation Services. The DES Division of Developmental Disabilities provides services to individuals with cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism or epilepsy.
A residential facility is a home with persons with developmental disabilities that is licensed, operated, supported or supervised by the Department of Health Services (A.R.S. § 36-581). Statute requires DES to visit each adult and child developmental home and inspect the premises for sanitation, fire and other actual and potential hazards (A.R.S. § 36-591).
Current statute allows DES to issue a provisional license to an applicant or licensee of an adult or child developmental home who is temporarily unable to conform to the established standards of care, if the deficiencies can be remedied within six months. If conditions exist that could danger the health and safety of the clients residing in the setting, DES is prohibited from issuing a provisional license. Provisional licenses are valid for six months and are nonrenewable (A.R.S. § 36-593).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires DES, before issuing or renewing a license for an adult or child developmental home, to determine that the applicant is able to meet the emotional, physical, social, developmental, educational, cultural and intellectual needs of clients.
2. Requires DES, before renewing a license for an adult or child developmental home, to investigate:
a) the activities and standards of care within the setting;
b) the financial stability of the applicant;
c) the character and training of the applicant; and
d) the adequacy of services.
Inspections
3. Requires DES to:
a) annually visit and inspect each adult and child developmental home for sanitation, fire and other potential hazards;
b) monitor the settings of adult and child developmental homes for compliance with health, safety, contractual, programmatic and quality assurance standards at least two times a year;
c) investigate a complaint immediately if there is a danger to a client; and
d) investigate a complaint within 10 working days if there is no danger to a client.
4. Requires developmental homes to allow an inspection of the facility at reasonable times by:
a) parents or guardians of facility residents;
b) members of the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council; or
c) members of recognized, established groups that advocate for persons with developmental disabilities.
Third Party Monitoring
5. Allows DES to enter into a contract with a third party for monitoring services, unless the third party has a conflict of interest.
6. Requires DES to establish minimum qualifications, responsibilities and oversight for third party contractors that license or monitor developmental homes. The minimum qualifications must address professional judgment, conflicts of interest and training.
7. Defines conflict of interest as a personal or financial interest in the developmental home or in the placement or service of the home's clients.
Provisional Licenses
8. Allows DES to issue a provisional license only to a licensee who is seeking renewal of a regular license, rather than to an applicant.
9. Decreases, from six months to three months, the amount of time a provisional license is valid.
10. Requires licensees who are seeking a provisional license to remedy temporary standard of care deficiencies within three months.
11. Prohibits DES from issuing a provisional license if conditions exist that could endanger the health, safety or welfare of clients residing in the setting.
Miscellaneous
12. Makes technical and conforming changes.
13. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 2, 2018
CRS/JN/lat