ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2388: appropriations; direct services; referrals

Sponsor: Representative Udall, LD 25

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state General Fund (GF) to both the Department of Health Services (DHS) and Department of Economic Security (DES) for services related to health care.

History

The mission of DHS is to promote, protect, and improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities in Arizona. DHS operates programs in the following areas: 1) disease prevention and control; 2) health promotion; 3) community public health; 4) environmental health; 5) maternal and child health; 6) emergency preparedness; and 7) regulation of childcare centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes, hospitals, other health care providers and emergency services.

In 1972, DES was established by consolidating multiple state agencies to provide an integrated approach to human services. Its mission is to make Arizona stronger by helping Arizonans reach their potential through temporary assistance for those in need, and care for the vulnerable. DES operates and provides services in the following areas: 1) aging and adult services; 2) benefits and medical eligibility; 3) child support services; 4) developmental disabilities; and 5) employment and rehabilitation services.

Additionally, on July 20, 2000 the Federal Communications Commission designated 2-1-1 as a three-digit telephone information and referral (I&R) system. The abbreviated telephone number is used to provide information and referrals to health, human and social service organizations

Provisions

1. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF to DHS for a family health pilot program in both FYs 2021 and 2022. (Sec. 1)

2. Requires DHS to distribute the monies appropriated in each fiscal year for the family health pilot program to a nonprofit organization to implement a statewide system to provide direct services, support services, social services case management and referrals to the biological or adoptive parents of children under two years of age, including unborn children. (Sec. 1)

3. States the purpose of the statewide system is to encourage healthy childbirth, support childbirth as an alternative to abortion, promote family formation, aid successful parenting and increase families' economic self-sufficiency. (Sec. 1)

4. States the statewide system services must be available to all residents of this state in both urban and rural areas. (Sec. 1)

5. Specifies that monies may not be used for abortion referral services or distributed to entities that promote, refer or perform abortions. (Sec. 1)

6. Stipulates that the nonprofit organization that receives the monies must demonstrate both:

a) Experience in marketing and serving the eligible patient population; and

b) That the organization can begin serving clients statewide within 60 days after receiving monies. (Sec. 1)

7. Appropriates $1,500,000 from the state GF to DES for a statewide information and referral service for health care services, community services, human services and governmental services in FY2021. (Sec. 2)

8. Allows DES to provide the statewide information and referral service directly or may contract with a private entity. (Sec. 2)

9. Requires the entity providing the statewide information and referral service to employ 2-1-1 three-digit dialing access and be accredited through a national alliance relating to information and referral systems. (Sec. 2)

10. States that the statewide information and referral service may not:

a) Include information regarding abortion or referrals for abortions or referrals to any entity that provides, pays for or provides coverage for abortions; and

b) Financially support any entity that provides, pays for or provides coverage for abortions. (Sec. 2)

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f) Initials IG/AG Health & Human Services

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