This bill mandates the Division of Children's System of Care (DCSOC) within the Department of Children and Families to implement significant changes to the provision of family support and respite care services for individuals under the age of 21 with developmental disabilities. Key provisions include establishing a 12-month authorization period for agency-hired, agency-weekend, and self-hired respite care services, as opposed to the current 90-day period. Additionally, families or guardians of eligible individuals will receive a bank of respite care service hours that are separate from other family support service hours, allowing for greater flexibility in accessing these services based on specific needs.

The bill also introduces an annual reevaluation process to assess the need for family support services, replacing the existing annual reapplication process. This reevaluation will help determine the entitlement to respite care service hours without reducing the amount previously authorized. The bill aims to enhance the support provided to families and individuals with developmental disabilities by ensuring they have consistent access to necessary respite care services without the limitations imposed by previous policies.