AN ACT ESTABLISHING STATEWIDE AND COMMUNITY LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR THE AGING POPULATION; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO REPORT BIENNIALLY, WITH ANNUAL UPDATES, ON STATEWIDE AND COMMUNITY ISSUES ON AGING; INCLUDING STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION IN QUALIFICATIONS FOR AREA AGENCIES ON AGING; PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO AREA AGENCIES ON AGING AND COMMUNITIES FOR LONG-TERM PLANNING; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 52-3-101, 52-3-103, 52-3-503, AND 52-3-504, MCA; AND PROVIDING A TERMINATION DATE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 52-3-101, MCA, is amended to read:

"52-3-101. Functions of department of public health and human services. The department of public health and human services shall:

(1) consult with and advise organized efforts by communities, organizations, associations, and groups that are working toward any forms of assistance to problems of aging;

(2) study and identify problems of aging;

(3) review existing programs for the aging and make recommendations to the governor and the legislature for improvements in the programs;

(4) encourage the sponsorship of community projects that will seek to make optimum use of the time and talents of retired persons;

(5) coordinate, through area agencies on aging and county councils, the delivery of community-based care, including but not limited to home health care, homemaker services, foster home care, nutrition, transportation, winterization, information and referral, and recreation;

(6) (a) produce a biennial report, with annual updates, on statewide and community issues related to aging. The report must be provided to the legislature or an appropriate interim committee and the governor and must include but is not limited to:

(i) identifying key stakeholders in state and community planning for aging, such as senior citizens and those who will become senior citizens in the next decade, local government officials, members of the business community, schools, service providers, and state agencies;

(ii) reporting current demographics and projected demographics for Montana's aging population;

(iii) presenting the implications of the aging population for local and state services and budgets and state law and policies; and

(iv) providing a statewide overview of the 4-year plans of area agencies on aging to identify issues, needs, and resources.

(b) The report provided for in subsection (6)(a) must be posted in an appropriate electronic forum and format for access by the public."

Section 2. Section 52-3-103, MCA, is amended to read:

"52-3-103. Designation of area agencies. (1) The department of public health and human services may designate as an area agency in a geographical area an entity that demonstrates its ability to:

(a) develop and administer an area plan for a comprehensive and coordinated system of services;

(b) serve as the advocate and focal point for older persons in the planning and service area; and

(c) identify the stakeholders in the planning and service areas and to involve them in long-term identification of needs and goals.

(2) An entity may be but is not limited to:

(a) an established office on aging that operates within the geographical area;

(b) an office or agency of a unit of general purpose local government, except a county welfare office or department;

(c) any combination of offices or units of general purpose local governments; or

(d) any other public or private, nonprofit agency, except a regional or local agency of the state."

Section 3. Section 52-3-503, MCA, is amended to read:

"52-3-503. Purpose and policy. (1) The legislature finds that older Montanans constitute a valuable resource of this state and that their competence, experience, and wisdom must be used more effectively for the benefit of all Montanans.

(2) The legislature further finds that a complete range of services is not available in all areas of the state and that many Montanans lack access to the services that are available.

(3) The legislature declares that it is the policy of this state, subject to available funding, to provide a wide range of coordinated services to enable older Montanans to maintain an independent lifestyle, avoid unnecessary institutional care, and live in dignity.

(4) It is the intent of the legislature that available federal, state, regional, and local resources be used to strengthen the economic, social, and general well-being of older Montanans and that the state:

(a) develop appropriate programs for older Montanans;

(b) coordinate and integrate all levels of service, with emphasis on the whole person; and

(c) promote alternative forms of service that will create options for older Montanans.

(5) It is the intent of the legislature that the state and its communities plan for the future by organizing more local involvement within communities and their surrounding rural areas. Communities need to identify all of the stakeholders that are integral to the success of meeting the challenges facing a society with an aging population. The state shall gather and coordinate the information received by the community planning efforts and bring that information forward to allow coordinated services that provide the options that Montanans need."

Section 4. Section 52-3-504, MCA, is amended to read:

"52-3-504. Services to be provided. Subject to available funding, the department, in conjunction with other state, local, and private agencies and organizations, shall identify and may provide , in addition to existing services for older Montanans:

(1) a directory of available services;

(2) transportation that provides access to services;

(3) housing, nutrition, education, homemaker, escort, respite, hospice, and other programs that facilitate self-care;

(4) physical and mental health care, including inpatient and outpatient services, screening, appliances and supplies, and home health care;

(5) placement in adult day care, foster care, personal care, supervisory care, and nursing homes;

(6) protective advocacy and legal programs;

(7) job training, job development, and income maintenance;

(8) adult education;

(9) training and research in aging; and

(10) technical assistance to communities through the area agencies on aging to identify stakeholders to conduct long-term planning and identification of needs."

Section 5. Termination. [This act] terminates June 30, 2001.

- END -

I hereby certify that the within bill,

HB 0275, originated in the House.

Chief Clerk of the House

Speaker of the House

Signed this	day

of	, .

President of the Senate

Signed this	day

of	, .

HOUSE BILL NO. 275

INTRODUCED BY B. BARNHART, C. CHRISTIAENS, J. BOHLINGER, P. CLARK, D. ECK, G. GOLIE, H. HARPER, B. MCCARTHY, B. RANEY

AN ACT ESTABLISHING STATEWIDE AND COMMUNITY LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR THE AGING POPULATION; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO REPORT BIENNIALLY, WITH ANNUAL UPDATES, ON STATEWIDE AND COMMUNITY ISSUES ON AGING; INCLUDING STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION IN QUALIFICATIONS FOR AREA AGENCIES ON AGING; PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO AREA AGENCIES ON AGING AND COMMUNITIES FOR LONG-TERM PLANNING; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 52-3-101, 52-3-103, 52-3-503, AND 52-3-504, MCA; AND PROVIDING A TERMINATION DATE.