General Assembly Raised Bill No. 296 February Session, 2018 LCO No. 1544 *_____SB00296PH____032618____* Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH Introduced by: (PH) General Assembly Raised Bill No. 296 February Session, 2018 LCO No. 1544 *_____SB00296PH____032618____* Referred to Committee on PUBLIC HEALTH Introduced by: (PH) AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PILOT PROGRAM TO SERVE PEOPLE SEEKING RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2018) (a) The Department of Developmental Services shall establish, within available appropriations, a pilot program to serve persons who are eligible and waiting for residential services from the department. The pilot program shall evaluate and establish alternative service models in which certain persons who are currently receiving residential services may be moved from their existing residential placement, with the consent of the person or such person's legal guardian, into more independent, less expensive settings for the purpose of providing persons who have been waiting to receive and are in critical need of residential services with a residential placement. Such service models shall include, but need not be limited to, shared living arrangements, housing clusters, community companion homes, habilitation services and the use of assistive technology. The department shall work with stakeholder organizations, including, but not limited to, the Arc of Connecticut, Alliance, and the Council on Developmental Disabilities, in establishing the pilot program. (b) Not later than March 31, 2019, annually, and September 30, 2019, annually, the Commissioner of Developmental Services shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health regarding (1) funds expended in implementing the pilot program, (2) the number, provenance and chosen setting or support of the persons served by the pilot program, (3) the quality of life, health and safety of the persons served by the pilot program, and (4) other systemic outcomes of the pilot program. This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2018 New section This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 July 1, 2018 New section PH Joint Favorable PH Joint Favorable