Reference Title: developmental disabilities services; rate structure

AN ACT
AMENDING LAWS 1998, CHAPTER 227, SECTIONS 2, 3 AND 5; PROVIDING FOR THE DELAYED REPEAL OF LAWS 1998, CHAPTER 227, SECTION 2; RELATING TO DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Laws 1998, chapter 227, section 2 is amended to read:

Sec. 2. Division of developmental disabilities; model rate structure

A. The division of developmental disabilities in the department of economic security shall formulate an equitable model rate structure for contracted services prescribed pursuant to section 36-558, Arizona Revised Statutes. The model shall be a family oriented self-determination model.

B. In formulating the model the division shall solicit the advice of persons who are receiving developmental disabilities services from the department, parents of developmentally disabled adults and children and representatives of provider organizations and shall hold public meetings.

C. The division shall require that contracts entered into pursuant to the model rate structure provide for prompt reimbursements for services. The division shall also ensure that contract requirements are clearly defined and not unnecessarily duplicative.

D. The division shall complete the model rate structure on or before October 15, 1998 and shall implement it from and after June 30, 1999 WITHIN THE TIME RECOMMENDED BY A DESIGN TEAM THAT THE DIVISION FORMS TO DEVELOP THE MODEL BUT NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 1999 . THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE SHALL INCLUDE A FIELD TEST.

E. THE DIVISION SHALL SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS PROGRESS TO THE GOVERNOR, THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DESIGN TEAM, BUT NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 15 OF EACH YEAR. THE DIVISION SHALL SUBMIT A COPY OF THIS REPORT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY, ARCHIVES AND PUBLIC RECORDS.

Sec. 2. Laws 1998, chapter 227, section 3 is amended to read:

Sec. 3. Joint legislative committee for implementation of a uniform rate structure for service contracts for the developmentally disabled; membership; duties

A. The joint legislative committee for implementation of a uniform rate structure for service contracts for the developmentally disabled is established consisting of the following members:

1. The chairman of the senate appropriations committee, who shall cochair the committee.

2. The chairman of the house appropriations committee, who shall cochair the committee.

3. Two members of the senate who are appointed by the president of the senate and who represent different political parties.

4. Two members of the house of representatives who are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and who represent different political parties.

B. The committee shall:

1. Hold public hearings to review the policy and procedural changes in the model rate structure proposed by the division of developmental disabilities in the department of economic security.

2. Submit a report of its recommendations for any modifications to the division's proposed model rate structure to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 31 , 1998 OF EACH YEAR .

Sec. 3. Laws 1998, chapter 227, section 5 is amended to read:

Sec. 5. Delayed repeal

Section 3 of this act, relating to the joint legislative committee for implementation of a uniform rate structure for service contracts for the developmentally disabled, is repealed from and after December 31, 2000 2002 .

Sec. 4. Delayed repeal

Laws 1998, chapter 227, section 2 is repealed from and after October 1, 2002.

APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR APRIL 26, 1999.

FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE APRIL 26, 1999.