DHS-HOME SERVICES-CONSUMER

Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that a home care consumer in the Department of Human Services' Home Services Program has the right and discretion to: (1) select and hire a personal assistant or other individual provider of his or her choice; and (2) determine the number of hours per week his or her personal assistant or other individual provider may work. Provides that, subject to the Department's authority to approve the total monthly hours in a home care consumer's service plan, no limitation shall be imposed on the number of hours per week a personal assistant or other individual provider may work unless the following conditions are satisfied: (A) as an exception to any limit imposed by the Department, a personal assistant or other individual provider may work and be paid for all hours worked up to at least 66 hours per week if the personal assistant or other individual provider works for a home care consumer who: (i) receives services under a court-ordered service plan; (ii) has a Determination of Need score of 70 or above; or (iii) has an exceptional care rate; (B) the Department shall establish an exceptions and appeals process that permits a home care consumer to request an exception to any limit imposed by the Department up to a maximum of no less than 66 hours per week; and (C) if the home care consumer would face a serious risk of institutionalization, the Department shall work with the home care consumer to ensure that appropriate care in the community will be provided, whether through authorized overtime or another solution. Provides that nothing shall limit the Department's authority under any other statute to disqualify an individual from providing services in the Department's Home Services Program for reasons other than the number of weekly hours worked by the individual.