The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Christopher D. Adams.
DIGEST
Heitmeier (SB 498)
Present law defines "evaluation team" to mean the individuals who determine the eligibility of
persons with significant disabilities for state personal assistance services and shall be designated
by the assistant secretary of the office of aging and adult services within the Department of
Health and Hospitals (the department).
Proposed law amends present law and repeals the definition of "evaluation team".
Present law defines "state personal assistance services" to mean services which are required by a
person with significant disabilities between 18 and 60 years of age to achieve greater physical
independence and which include but are not limited to services related to:
(1)Routine bodily functions, such as bowel or bladder care.
(2)Dressing.
(3)Preparation and consumption of food.
(4)Housecleaning and laundry.
(5)Transfers.
(6)Routine bathing.
(7)Ambulation.
(8)Any other similar activity of daily living.
Proposed law amends present law to define "state personal assistance services" to mean goods
and services which are required by a person with significant disabilities age 18 or older to
increase a person's independence or substitute for a person's dependence on human assistance.
Present law provides the department shall provide a subsidy for personal assistance services to
any person who is between the ages of 18 and 60 years at inception of services; a person who
begins to receive services between the ages of 18 and 60 shall continue to receive services after
the age of 60, provided that all other eligibility requirements are met.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that the department shall provide a subsidy for
personal assistance services to any person who is age 18 or older at inception of services, provided that all other eligibility requirements are met.
Present law provides that the number of qualified providers will be limited to six statewide.
Proposed law removes this provision.
Present law provides the evaluation team shall determine the eligibility of the person with
significant disabilities for personal assistance services and reevaluate the person with significant
disabilities annually to determine the person's continuing need for services.
Proposed law removes this provision.
Present law provides the department, by rule, shall establish an eligibility standard which takes
into consideration the unique economic and social needs of persons with significant disabilities.
Proposed law amends present law to provide the department, by rule, shall establish an eligibility
standard and an evaluation process which takes into consideration the unique economic and
social needs of persons with significant disabilities.
Present law provides the State Personal Assistance Services Program may supplement any other
programs for which the person is eligible.
Proposed law amends present law to provide the State Personal Assistance Services Program
shall be considered as a source of last resort for personal assistance services after private and
governmental sources have been expended.
Present law provides the secretary of the department or his designee shall develop and maintain a
state personal assistance policy plan which shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1)Criteria for eligibility of a person with significant disabilities for the services.
(2)Criteria for determining number of hours per week of services to be provided to a person
with significant disabilities.
(3)Determination of how program funds will be disbursed.
(4)Criteria for determining prioritization of the State Personal Assistance Program waiting
list.
Proposed law amends present law to provide the secretary of the department or his designee shall
develop and maintain a state personal assistance policy plan which shall include but not be
limited to the following:
(1)Criteria for eligibility of a person with significant disabilities for the services. (2)Criteria for determining the goods and services to be provided to a person with significant
disabilities.
(3)Determination of how program funds will be disbursed.
(4)Criteria for determining prioritization of the State Personal Assistance Program waiting
list.
Present law provides in developing and maintaining a state personal assistance policy, the
secretary shall solicit consultation from an advisory panel, that shall include representatives from
the fiscal agents, and consumers.
Proposed law removes this provision.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 46:2116.1, 2116.2(B)(2) and (C)(4), 2116.3(A) and (C), and 2116.5(A); repeals
R.S. 46:2116.5(D))