This bill amends sections 83-1216 and 83-1216.02 of the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, focusing on the administration of Medicaid home and community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Key changes include the introduction of an objective assessment process for determining funding amounts, which must be published on the Department of Health and Human Services' website and approved by the Governor's developmental disability advisory board. The bill also specifies that residential settings must be available as an option for individuals in various funding priority categories and establishes a timeline for redetermination requests. Additionally, it outlines new funding priorities, including expedited processes for individuals in crisis and those transitioning from institutional settings.

Furthermore, the bill eliminates a sunset date that would have terminated certain provisions on June 30, 2025, ensuring the continuity of services. It also modifies the criteria for funding priorities, such as changing the duration of institutional residency from twelve to two consecutive months and expanding eligibility for individuals transitioning from the education system. The bill emphasizes the importance of maximizing federal funding and requires the department to notify legislative committees about the estimated number of individuals needing services and the resources required to meet those needs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 83-1216, 83-1216.02