The bill amends Section 40-8.9-9 of the General Laws to establish a long-term care rebalancing system reform goal. It mandates that shared living for older adults and adults with disabilities provide individuals with the option to receive care from family caregivers, both related and unrelated, regardless of other activities performed by the caregiver, such as acting as a health care proxy, power of attorney, or social security representative payee. The executive office of health and human services is prohibited from implementing any limitations on eligible caregivers through shared living that are more restrictive than the standards in effect on January 1, 2025.

The bill also consolidates existing home- and community-based services into a single system and emphasizes a person-centered approach that promotes individual choice and self-determination. It establishes tiered eligibility criteria for long-term care services and authorizes the executive office to implement payment reforms to enhance service access and worker wages in the home-care industry. Additionally, the bill empowers the secretary to seek Medicaid section 1115 waivers or state-plan amendments to facilitate the timely adoption of necessary rules and regulations for these reforms. Overall, the legislation aims to improve the quality and accessibility of long-term care services while ensuring the financial viability of existing programs. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5773: 40-8.9-9