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OLR Bill Analysis
sHB 6519
AN ACT CONCERNING DATA COLLECTION TO PREVENT
MALNUTRITION AMONG SENIOR CITIZENS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the state’s five area agencies on aging (AAAs) to
(1) distribute the National Aging Program Information System
(NAPIS) nutritional risk assessment to older persons, (2) collect
completed assessments, and (3) report individual and average scores
for each elderly planning and service area to the Department of Aging
and Disability Services (ADS). The NAPIS nutritional risk assessment
is a survey that provides each respondent with a score correlating with
malnutrition risk.
Current law requires ADS to review, in consultation with the AAAs,
its method for allocating federal Older Americans Act funds to the
AAAs for supportive services and elderly nutrition. The bill also
requires ADS to review its allocation methods for state funds
appropriated to the AAAs, and evaluate both state and federal funding
allocations based on factors, including the following:
1. for each of the five planning and service areas, the (a) elderly
population data from the most recent U.S. census and (b)
average and individual scores on the NAPIS nutritional risk
assessment; and
2. any increased costs for providers that deliver meals-on-wheels
for ADS’ elderly nutrition programs in sparsely populated rural
areas.
The bill requires ADS to (1) solicit information and
recommendations from elderly nutrition providers for consideration in
its evaluation and (2) report, by July 1, 2022, to the Aging,
Appropriations, and Human Services committees on certain related 2021HB-06519-R000502-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MF Page 2 4/19/21
information.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
REPORT TO LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES
Current law requires ADS to report to the Appropriations and
Human Services committees (1) any findings or recommendations
from its review of allocation methods for federal funds and (2) data on
service levels and costs. The bill instead requires ADS to report, by July
1, 2022, to the Aging, Appropriations, and Human Services committees
on the following information:
1. elderly population data and average and individual scores on
the NAPIS nutritional risk assessment for each of the five
elderly planning and service areas;
2. reimbursement rates for each meals-on-wheels provider in ADS’
elderly nutrition program, compared to each provider’s costs to
provide the meals;
3. each meals-on-wheels provider’s administrative expenses;
4. how many meal deliveries providers reduced or eliminated due
to inadequate state reimbursement; and
5. any recommended changes for how to allocate funds.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Human Services Committee
Joint Favorable Substitute
Yea 19 Nay 0 (03/31/2021)