Health and human services.

Existing law provides for the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, under which, either through employment by the recipient, or by or through contract by the county, qualified aged, blind, and disabled persons receive services enabling them to remain in their own homes. Counties are responsible for the administration of the IHSS program. Under the Medi-Cal program, similar services are provided to eligible individuals, with these services known as personal care option services. Existing law authorized an individual who was eligible for IHSS services in the 1992–93 fiscal year, and who had his or her services reduced pursuant to specified provisions, but who believed that he or she was at serious risk of out-of-home placement unless all or part of the reduced hours were restored, to apply for an IHSS Care Supplement, as prescribed. Existing law established a similar reduction in authorized IHSS service hours, which becomes operative only if a specified medication machine pilot project does not achieve a designated amount of savings to the General Fund, as determined by the Department of Finance, and also authorizes an individual whose services have been reduced, and who believes that he or she is at serious risk of out-of-home placement, to submit an IHSS Care Supplement application, in accordance with specified provisions, in order to have all or part of the service hour reduction restored. Existing law also requires the department to implement a 3.6% reduction in service hours to each IHSS recipient, until July 1, 2012. Existing law, effective January 1, 2012, imposes an additional 20% service hour reduction on IHSS recipients, which would be operative only if a designated provision of the Budget Act of 2011 is operative, and establishes an IHSS Care Supplement process for any individual who is notified of a reduction in service hours under the bill, but who believes he or she is at serious risk of out-of-home placement unless all or part of the reduction is restored. This bill would make technical and clarifying changes to the above-described provisions. This bill would appropriate $1,000 to the State Department of Health Care Services for administration. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as a bill providing for appropriations related to the Budget Bill.