HI HR159

Request the Department of Health's Developmental Disabilities Division to maintain eligibility for individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities regardless of whether they have significant medical and behavioral needs or a dual diagnosis of developmental disability and mental illness.

Require the Division to review the state's statutory definition of "developmental disabilities" compared to other states and study impacts of changing the definition.

Direct the Division to discuss eligibility issues related to the current statutory definition and identify gap groups currently ineligible for services but part of the intellectual and developmental disabilities population.

Require the Division to determine strategies to meet increasing needs of the intellectual and developmental or physical disabilities population, including identifying agencies and safety net processes for identified gap groups.

Require submission of findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2021 Regular Session convenes.