HF2234 Summary

• Establishes new Chapter 245D creating statewide "Home and Community-Based Services Standards" (HCBS Standards) governing licensing and service provision for 13 specific home and community-based waiver services for persons with disabilities and those age 65 and older, effective January 1, 2013.

• Creates uniform statewide payment methodologies for home and community-based waiver services replacing county-negotiated rates, with payments based on standardized wage rates, staffing patterns, and program expenses; eliminates county and tribal provider contracts effective January 1, 2013.

• Modifies consumer rights protections in Chapter 245B to include annual rights notification, restrictions on electronic correspondence and communication, expanded protection from bias and harassment, and detailed procedures for restricting certain rights requiring written informed consent that expires annually.

• Requires license holders to maintain records for minimum five years following service termination, establish incident reporting procedures, implement grievance processes, and prohibit staff from accepting powers of attorney or guardianship of persons receiving services (except for county/government entities).

• Repeals the county-based day training and habilitation rate-setting provisions in former Section 252.46 and implements new statewide HCBS licensing and payment requirements under Chapter 245D beginning January 1, 2013.