Bill > S117

Introduced Session

A bill to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and supports, and for other purposes. This bill prohibits government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life. Specifically, these entities may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by such actions as imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, or waiting lists or failing to provide a specific community-based service. Additionally, community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives. The bill requires the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue regulations requiring government entities and insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services to individuals with such disabilities who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement. Government entities must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy. Regulations shall also (1) require government entities and insurance providers to perform self-evaluation on current services, policies, and practices and concerning compliance with requirements of this bill; and (2) require government entities to submit a transition plan. HHS must determine annually whether each government entity is complying with the transition plan and must increase funding for those in compliance. The bill allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of its requirements.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Chuck Schumer (D)*,  Tammy Baldwin (D),  Michael Bennet (D),  Richard Blumenthal (D),  Cory Booker (D),  Maria Cantwell (D),  Ben Cardin (D),  Tom Carper (D),  Bob Casey (D),  Chris Coons (D),  Catherine Cortez Masto (D),  Steve Daines (R),  Tammy Duckworth (D),  Dick Durbin (D),  Cory Gardner (R),  Kirsten Gillibrand (D),  Kamala Harris (D),  Maggie Hassan (D),  Mazie Hirono (D),  Doug Jones (D),  Amy Klobuchar (D),  Patrick Leahy (D),  Joe Manchin (I),  Ed Markey (D),  Bob Menendez (D),  Jeff Merkley (D),  Chris Murphy (D),  Patty Murray (D),  Gary Peters (D),  Jack Reed (D),  Jacky Rosen (D),  Bernie Sanders (I),  Jeanne Shaheen (D),  Tina Smith (D),  Debbie Stabenow (D),  Jon Tester (D),  Chris Van Hollen (D),  Elizabeth Warren (D),  Sheldon Whitehouse (D), 

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (on 01/15/2019)

Official Document