Extends the statutory authority for the licensing of community-based case management agencies and the certification of community care foster family homes until June 30, 2005; appropriates $65,000 for fiscal year 2003-2004, and $65,000 for fiscal year 2004-2005, for licensing and certification. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 273, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, established two-year demonstration projects within the department of human services (department) relating to licensing and certification of home and community-based services. Under the Act, the department established standards for licensing home and community-based case management agencies, including, but not limited to, standards related to the conditions, management, and competence of such agencies, and authorized such agencies to certify community care foster family homes. The licensing and certification demonstration projects assist the department in fulfilling its regulatory oversight function, ensure the service quality and competency of home and community-based case management agencies, and protect the health and welfare of individuals placed in certified community care foster family homes.

The purpose of this Act is to extend the demonstration projects relating to licensing and certification of home and community-based services for an additional two years, and to appropriate funds for such projects.

SECTION 2. Act 273, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, section 1, is amended by amending subsection (a) of section 346-B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to read as follows:

"(a) Prior to [June 30, 2003] June 30, 2005, this part shall apply equally to two distinct demonstration projects, except as provided in subsection (b), as follows:

SECTION 3. Act 273, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, is amended by amending section 6 to read as follows:

"SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001, and shall be repealed on [June 30, 2003] June 30, 2005."

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the criminal history record improvement revolving fund the sum of $65,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the sum of $65,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the purposes of Act 273, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on June 29, 2003.