2017 Montana Legislature

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 24

INTRODUCED BY J. HAMILTON

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 66TH LEGISLATURE.

WHEREAS, approximately 1,300 developmentally disabled adults are on the Department of Public Health and Human Services waiting list for community-based services; and

WHEREAS, these individuals must wait for services until an opening occurs in the community; and

WHEREAS, many community developmental disability service providers have said the costs of providing services exceeds the amount of Medicaid funding available for the services; and

WHEREAS, providers have said that having flexibility in the Medicaid funding system may allow them to provide services to more people.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, to study the services provided to adults with developmental disabilities and determine whether improvements could be made to the way in which services are provided and in the method of paying for the services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study review:

(1) the number of developmentally disabled adults who are receiving services in the community and the number who are waiting for services, overall and by category of service;

(2) the length of time individuals spend on the waiting list for services and how the amount of time varies by category of service;

(3) the factors used to determine the so-called "cost plan", or the amount of money the state will pay for services provided to a developmentally disabled individual in the community;

(4) the limitations placed on the use of funds in the cost plan and how the limitations affect the ability of community providers to offer services;

(5) the transition of developmentally disabled individuals from school-based services to community-based services as they move into the adult services system, including the sharing of information among service providers;

(6) service delivery models used in other states; and

(7) barriers to reducing the waiting list or providing community-based services in a more timely manner.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study determine what steps, if any, could be taken to:

(1) update or revise the way in which the cost plan is determined;

(2) provide more flexibility in the use of funds from the cost plan, in order to increase availability of and access to community services; and

(3) reduce the amount of time individuals must wait to obtain community services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the study include representatives of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, community service providers, schools, advocates for the developmentally disabled, and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2018.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 66th Legislature.

- END -

Latest Version of HJ 24 (HJ0024.ENR)
Processed for the Web on April 21, 2017 (2:45pm)

New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.

Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted.

See the status of this bill for the bill's primary sponsor.

Status of this Bill | 2017 Legislature | Leg. Branch Home
All versions of this bill (PDF format)
Authorized print version of this bill (PDF format)
[ NEW SEARCH ]

Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406) 444-3064