Senate Bill 596 Summary

• Amends IC 12-12.7-2-20 to prohibit the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services from requiring First Steps program providers to join or form provider networks as a condition of eligibility to provide services.

• Applies retroactively to November 1, 2010, allowing individual providers to operate independently without network affiliation requirements.

• Maintains all other requirements for First Steps (infants and toddlers with disabilities program) providers, including personnel standards, training, and certification requirements.

• Declares an emergency, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon passage.