Vermont H 720: An act relating to the system of care for individuals with developmental disabilities

Bill Text

Act No. 186 Page 1 of 2
2022

VT LEG #363730 v.2

This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General
Assembly. It is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be
exhaustive. It has been prepared by the staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without
input from members of the General Assembly. It is not intended to aid in the interpretation
of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.

Act No. 186 (H.720). Human services; developmental disabilities
An act relating to the system of care for individuals with developmental
disabilities
This act specifies that it is the intent of the General Assembly that:
• individuals who qualify for developmental services and who meet a
funding priority as outlined in the State system of care plan for
developmental services receive full and complete information in plain
language regarding their options and services; and
• individuals with developmental disabilities, their family members,
allies, and advocates be respected and active participants in systems
change activities, including payment reform, development of resources
to comply with the federal home- and community-based services
regulations, and development of additional residential service options.
This act amends the existing system of care plan by removing the requirement
that a portion of the plan go through rulemaking. It further sets forth a process for
the Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living (Department) to
request an extension for the completion of subsequent system of care plans.
Sec. 3 of this act requires the Department to submit a report to the General
Assembly by November 15, 2022, regarding the oversight of services for
individuals with developmental disabilities. It also requires that the Department
submit a report to the General Assembly on January 15, 2023, that includes an
implementation plan addressing the fiscal and workforce requirements needed to
conduct a minimum of at least one annual on-site quality assurance and
improvement visit by the Department to the designated and specialized service
agencies and other providers serving individuals with developmental disabilities.
This act creates a limited-service position of the Residential Program
Developer within the Department and allocates funds for this purpose. It also
directs the Department to develop housing and residential service pilot planning
grants in at least three regions of the State, in partnership with the designated and
specialized services agencies, for individuals with developmental disabilities and
their families. The work of the Department in developing and selecting pilot
planning grants is to be guided by the steering committee.
Sec. 6 of this act addresses legislative input pertaining to system-wide payment
reform and the conflict-free case management system impacting individuals with

Act No. 186 Page 2 of 2
2022

VT LEG #363730 v.2

developmental disabilities. Due to a typographical error, this section diverges
from legislative intent, and the General Assembly is expected to address the
discrepancy during the 2023 session.
Multiple effective dates, beginning on June 9, 2022