BILL NUMBER: SB 1503INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Steinberg (Principal coauthor: Assembly Member John A. Prez) FEBRUARY 24, 2012 An act relating to in-home supportive services. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 1503, as introduced, Steinberg. In-Home Supportive Services program. Existing law provides for the county-administered In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, under which qualified aged, blind, and disabled persons are provided with services to permit them to remain in their own homes and avoid institutionalization. Under the Medi-Cal program, similar services are provided to eligible individuals, with these services known as personal care option services. Under existing law, home and facility care services that are subject to Medi-Cal reimbursement include nursing facility care services and home- or community-based care services, as specified. This bill would state that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would integrate the IHSS program with other long-term care services, including nursing facility care and community-based services, to increase timely access to adequate long-term care services and enhance care coordination across long-term care settings. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the following: (a) The In-home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, as described in Article 7 (commencing with Section 12300) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, is an integral component within California's long-term care delivery system. (b) The IHSS program provides home-based care that is compatible with the health condition, mental status, and long-term needs of each consumer, and allows each consumer to safely remain at home. (c) The IHSS program relies on providers who can meet a consumer's supportive service and personal care service needs, as defined in Section 12300 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, within each consumer's home. (d) The Legislature hereby declares its intent to enact legislation that would integrate the IHSS program with other long-term care services, including nursing facility care and community-based services, in order to increase timely access to adequate long-term care services and enhance care coordination across long-term care settings. This integration shall preserve consumer-directed care within the IHSS program that will allow consumers to continue to hire, fire, and supervise their home care providers when they are able.