SB 32 Summary

• Establishes a new Department on Aging effective July 1, 2010, transferring functions from the Department of Social Services' Division of Elderly Services and creating the position of Commissioner on Aging appointed by the Governor.

• Transfers administration of elderly services programs to the Department on Aging, including area agencies on aging, elderly nutrition programs, adult foster care, the CHOICES health insurance assistance program, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

• Allows the Governor to transfer funds between the Department of Social Services and Department on Aging during fiscal year 2011 with Finance Advisory Committee approval, with the Department of Social Services administering programs until the Commissioner on Aging is appointed.

• Establishes requirements for intermediate care beds in general hospitals for adults with serious and persistent mental illness, to be certified by the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

• Requires Medicaid state plan amendments to include hospice services and foreign language interpreter services for beneficiaries with limited English proficiency, and amends income eligibility limits for the ConnPACE prescription drug assistance program.