The proposed bill updates the current statutes governing the Developmental Disabilities Group Home Monitoring Program by extending its repeal date from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2031. It introduces new requirements for the Department of Economic Security (DES) to contract with a designated entity for monitoring group homes, which must ensure compliance with standards related to client care starting January 1, 2026. The bill also modifies the reporting requirements, changing the annual report deadline from January 1, 2024, to January 1, 2026, and replaces the term "pilot program" with "program" to reflect a more permanent initiative.

Additionally, the bill removes the previous requirement for the designated entity to determine compliance with behavioral treatment plans and instead emphasizes follow-up monitoring for homes with significant compliance issues. It mandates the establishment of an expedited referral system for incident reports and quality-of-care complaints, and requires the publication of all relevant reports on DES's website. The designated entity will also be responsible for conducting comprehensive monitoring, providing detailed monthly and annual reports, and including guardians in decision-making processes. The Health and Human Services Committees are tasked with reviewing the program's effectiveness by January 1, 2030, ensuring ongoing oversight and assessment of the program's future.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-573, 36-595.03
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-573, 36-595.03
House Engrossed Version: 36-573, 36-595.03