SB 2077 Summary

• Creates a new chapter to title 50 of the North Dakota Century Code establishing "expanded service payments for elderly and disabled" program for residents age 65+ or disabled/blind individuals age 18+.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including Medicaid or SSI benefits, functional assessment showing no severe impairment in toileting/transferring/eating, and impairment in three of four instrumental activities of daily living (meal prep, housework, medication management, laundry).

• Authorizes the Department of Human Services to pay qualified service providers for services including adult day care, family home care, homemaker services, chore services, respite care, case management, and nonmedical transportation.

• Modifies the "personal needs allowance" to replace the specific dollar amount ($60 or $85) with a flexible term that allows the department to set the amount by rule.

• Establishes that the state of North Dakota is responsible for program expenditures and grants the department a preferred claim against beneficiaries' estates for recovery of funds spent on services.