SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR GROUP HOMES/FUNDS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
Senate Bill 550 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 2, 2019
AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR GROUP HOMES.
Intro. by Krawiec.

Status: Re-ref to Appropriations/Base Budget. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Apr 16 2019)
S 550

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 8 2019 - View Summary

    Appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, $5 million in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2019-21 fiscal biennium. Establishes that the funds are to provide temporary, short-term financial assistance by monthly payment to group homes on behalf of each resident who meets the specified criteria. Defines group home to mean any facility licensed under GS Chapter 122C, meeting the definition of a supervised living facility under specified administrative rules, and serves adults whose primary diagnosis is mental illness or a developmental disability, but can also have other diagnoses. Establishes eligibility criteria to include that the resident was previously eligible for Medicaid-covered personal care services (PCS) prior to January 1, 2013, but became ineligible on or after January 1, 2013, due to Medicaid State Plan changes, and the resident has continually resided in a group home since December 31, 2012. Details requirements and limitations of the monthly payments, including capping the payments at $464.30 per month for each qualifying resident; requiring compliance with the use restrictions; limiting the payments to the period between July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2021, or upon depletion of the $5 million appropriation in the respective fiscal year; limiting payments to the extent sufficient funds are available for each fiscal year; restricting payments during pendency of a Medicaid appeal by or on behalf of the resident under GS 108A-70.9A; required termination of payments on June 30, 2021, or upon depletion of the $5 million appropriation for each fiscal year; and requiring each group home recipient to submit a list of all funding sources for the operational costs of the home for the preceding two years, to the Department, as specified. Details further provisions regarding administration of the funds.

    Requires the Division to report to the specified NCGA committee by September 1, 2019, listing the funding sources for each group home which receives the assistance, and a plan for sustaining funding beyond the 2019-21 fiscal biennium for group homes, as described. Specifies that the act does not establish any obligation to appropriate funds or an entitlement to any appropriations or assistance. 

    Effective July 1, 2019, and expires June 30, 2021.