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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
AMENDED
technical correction; home health agencies
(NOW: developmental disabilities advisory council)
Purpose
Requires the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council (Council) to adopt a master agenda each fiscal year. Directs the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) to annually educate Council members regarding the Council's purpose and related statutes.
Background
The Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) within the Department of Economic Security (DES) provides services to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities including cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy. Services provided by DDD include: 1) attendant care; 2) habilitation; 3) home health aide; 4) home nursing; 5) occupational, physical and speech therapies; 6) respite care; and 7) medical services.
Established in 1976, the Council is responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Assistant Director of DES's DDD regarding the coordination, integration, delivery and cost-effectiveness of services. Additionally, the Council is tasked with the oversight and approval of expenditures from the Client Developmental Disabilities Services Trust Fund. Council membership is composed of 15 voting members who are appointed by the Governor and two non-voting members. Council membership is required to include at least five individuals who are clients, family members or guardians of individuals with developmental disabilities. The Council must also include an individual who is eligible for long-term care (A.R.S. § 36-553).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes that the Council's annual in-district meetings are separate from any other DDD meeting.
2. Directs DDD to allow the Council to review new policies and major policy changes 30 days before submittal for public comment.
3. Necessitates that DDD staff be available to the Council to answer questions and review any proposed policies or policy changes prior to submission for public comment.
4. Obligates DES to provide the same accommodations for all Council members when travel is necessary for Council business.
5. Requires the Council, at the beginning of each fiscal year, to adopt a master agenda that schedules each prescribed item required for Council review and recommendation to DDD, and to notify appropriate agencies to provide and present information to the Council.
6. Directs DDD staff to assist the Council in preparing the required annual report that includes the Council's findings and recommendations as prescribed.
7. Requires ADOA to annually educate Council members and DDD staff on the Council's purpose, related statutes and open meeting laws.
8. Requires DDD to post the Council's scheduled meetings, meeting minutes and annual report in a prominent and accessible manner on its website.
9. Requires DES to delineate the Council as a separate line item in the DES annual budget request and necessitates that the Council be delineated as a separate line item in the General Appropriations Act.
10. Makes technical and conforming changes.
11. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
· Adopted the strike-everything amendment
Senate Action
HHS 2/18/21 DPA/SE 8-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 2, 2021
CRS/AP/gs