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2006 SESSION

067672301
HOUSE BILL NO. 1162
Offered January 11, 2006
Prefiled January 11, 2006
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 5, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-721 and 2.2-722, relating to a pilot congregate housing services program for certain elderly individuals.
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Patrons-- Eisenberg, Bulova, Callahan, Hull, Reid and Scott, J.M.; Senator: Ticer
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 7 of Title 2.2 an article numbered 5, consisting of sections numbered 2.2-721 and 2.2-722, as follows:

Article 5.
Congregate Housing Services Pilot Program.

§ 2.2-721. Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Area agencies on aging" means agencies designated by the Department for the Aging pursuant to subdivision A 6 of § 2.2-703.

"Congregate housing services program" means a set of supportive services provided to residents of a housing facility consisting of individual apartment units, otherwise intended for independent living. These supportive services are needed by residents who have temporary, periodic, or chronic difficulties with one or more essential activities of daily living, and such services will enable the residents to maintain or return to the most independent lifestyle, thereby avoiding premature institutionalization.

"Department" means the Department for the Aging.

"Housing service coordinator" means a person hired by the building owner or management company to perform the role of linking residents to needed community-based services, including supportive services available under the congregate housing services program.

"Qualified housing project" means any existing housing project for persons 62 years of age or older or persons with disabilities that provides no more than basic coordination of care services and is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or the Virginia Housing Development Authority.

"Supportive services" means services undertaken by qualified housing projects to provide assistance, as needed, to residents in order to maintain their independence. Such services shall include:

1. Nutritionally balanced meals, served in a central dining area;

2. Light housekeeping;

3. Regular laundry, including bed linens and personal laundry;

4. Personal care assistance;

5. Medication reminders;

6. Transportation to scheduled healthcare appointments and essential business;

7. Money management services; and

8. Other services conducive to maintaining the independence of residents.

§ 2.2-722. Establishment of a pilot congregate housing services program for frail elderly individuals.

A. By March 1, 2007, the Department shall establish congregate housing services programs in at least four areas of the Commonwealth selected by the Department, to be implemented at a rate of one such program in each designated project per year, beginning in the year 2007, and in each of the ensuing three years. The Department may enter into contracts with qualified housing projects to establish such congregate housing services programs. The Department, in consultation with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, shall develop criteria for the selection of pilot areas, which shall be located in each geographic area of Virginia, but not in close proximity to each other.  Such criteria shall include an assessment of the qualified housing project's proposal for the congregate housing services program and the area's plan for community involvement, including the involvement of the area agency on aging, the local department of social services, and the local department of housing. The Department, in consultation with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, shall take such actions as deemed necessary to implement the pilot program, including the provision of advisory and technical assistance and training and education programs to assist qualified housing projects to develop congregate housing services programs and qualify for financial assistance.

By November 1, 2006, the Department shall submit to the House and Senate Committees on General Laws a report outlining the plan for congregate housing services programs for frail elderly individuals, including copies of any requests for proposals and the criteria developed for the selection of pilot areas.

B. The qualified housing project shall specify the type and priorities of the supportive services it will coordinate during the term of the contract and such services shall be related to the needs and characteristics of the residents. The qualified housing project shall affirm that the supportive services provided will not duplicate any services that are already accessible, affordable, and sufficiently available to residents under programs administered by any federal, state, or local agency or any public or private agency or organization and that fees established for services are reasonable. The qualified housing project shall establish a fee schedule for each supportive service and residents shall contribute financially toward the cost of services, according to their ability to pay based on their income. Any fees charged shall not exceed the cost of providing the services. The Department shall determine an individual's eligibility for the congregate housing services program and the services subsidy, i.e., the sum necessary to provide supportive services to an eligible participant in excess of that individual's ability to pay for services, to be paid by the Department.

C. The Department shall evaluate and report on the impact and effectiveness of the congregate housing services program for frail elderly individuals. The evaluation shall include the number of persons receiving services, the extent to which the services provided to eligible participants avoided premature institutionalization, the cost effectiveness of the services in reducing Medicaid and other public expenditures, the availability of needed services, community cooperation, successes and problems encountered, the overall operation of the congregate housing services program, and recommendations for improvement. The Department shall submit a preliminary report to the House and Senate Committees on General Laws by November 15, 2007, and subsequent annual reports by November 15, of  2008,  2009, and 2010.

2.  That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1, 2011.