SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1009        FILED ON: 1/13/2009

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 74

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act providing for supportive living services for brain-injured individuals..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding the provisions of 130 CMR 422.000 or any other regulation, general or special law to the contrary, the division of medical assistance shall provide supportive living services, including personal care attendant services, to MassHealth members with brain injuries in the "Transitional Living Program", so-called, residing in a community-based residential program funded by the federal Housing and Urban Development section 811 grant, so-called;

provided further, that services shall be provided without regard to the ability of individuals to move to more independent living settings and shall continue to be provided for the duration of residency within such community-based residential programs;

            provided further, that the division shall seek federal approval to provide cueing and supervision services, and upon approval, shall provide such cueing and supervision services to said individuals;

            provided further, that the division shall develop a plan to establish a Life-Long Supportive Living Program, so-called, to provide and expand supportive living services to such individuals; provided further, that said plan shall include, but not be limited to, a review of regulations regarding the Transitional Living Program:

            and provided further, that the division shall file a report with the house and senate committees on ways and means no later than October 1, 2007 detailing the plan, the number of MassHealth members impacted, and recommendations to implement said program.