HB 2696 Summary

• Establishes licensure requirements for in-home personal care services agencies through the Arizona Department of Health Services, effective July 1, 2011, with licenses valid for up to two years.

• Requires agency owners, managers, and in-home personal care attendants to obtain valid fingerprint clearance cards pursuant to Arizona's fingerprinting requirements.

• Mandates in-home personal care attendants pass a competency test approved by the department and complete 10 hours of continuing education annually, with agencies required to provide 4 hours of in-service training per year.

• Authorizes the department to inspect agencies, investigate complaints, assess civil penalties up to $500 per violation, and suspend or revoke licenses for violations that endanger client health or safety.

• Exempts individual providers, religious organizations providing volunteer services, volunteers without compensation, and contractors serving persons with developmental disabilities from licensure requirements.