NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative history, or the Session Laws. HOUSE BILL 08-1031 BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Pommer, Borodkin, Buescher, Carroll M., Fischer, Green, Kerr A., Labuda, Madden, McFadyen, McGihon, Merrifield, Middleton, Peniston, Primavera, Romanoff, Scanlan, Soper, Stafford, Todd, Jahn, and Summers; also SENATOR(S) Keller, Williams, Boyd, Morse, Shaffer, Tochtrop, and Windels. Concerning the creation of the position of navigator to assist persons who are on the waiting list for persons with developmental disabilities, and making an appropriation therefor. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. 27-10.5-102, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF THE FOLLOWING NEW SUBSECTIONS to read: 27-10.5-102. Definitions. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires: (2.3) "Case manager" means an individual who assists with case management services and supports provided pursuant to this article for persons with developmental disabilities. (32) "Waiting list" means the list of persons with developmental disabilities who are waiting for services and supports provided pursuant to this article. SECTION 2. Article 10.5 of title 27, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW PART to read: PART 10 GENERAL PROVISIONS 27-10.5-1001. Waiting list navigator pilot program - creation - report - recommendations. (1) On or before November 1, 2008, the department, in consultation with community centered boards, shall develop and create a pilot navigator program, referred to in this part 10 as the "pilot program". As determined by the department, the pilot program shall be implemented in one or more community centered board regions of the state and shall serve persons on the waiting list for developmental disabilities services. In addition to providing navigator services to persons on the waiting list for developmental disabilities services, the pilot program shall examine the feasibility of establishing a statewide navigator program. (2) As part of the pilot program, the department shall study the effectiveness of the following possible navigator duties: (a) Helping individuals on the waiting list and their families to understand the waiting list process; (b) Providing individuals and families on the waiting list with comprehensive information regarding the options available to them; (c) Performing surveys and outreach to individuals on the waiting list as described in this article; (d) Providing individuals and families on the waiting list with answers and guidance regarding their status on the waiting list; (e) Providing individuals and families with information and guidance regarding Colorado's community centered board system for persons with developmental disabilities and the availability of resources and choices statewide through the community centered board system; (f) Communicating and coordinating with case managers at community centered boards regarding an individual's place on the waiting list; and (g) Assisting individuals and families on the waiting list find and choose appropriate resources while on the waiting list. This assistance may include working with individuals who are waiting for services to facilitate access to state and local resources available outside of, or in addition to, waiver-based services and supports. (3) On or before November 1, 2009, the department shall submit a report on the pilot program to the joint budget committee and the health and human services committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees. The report shall contain, at a minimum, recommendations for navigator caseload ratios, duties a navigator should provide to be an effective resource for individuals and families on the waiting list, funding levels, and any other information the department deems appropriate in determining the feasibility of a statewide navigator program. SECTION 3. Appropriation - adjustments to the 2008 long bill. (1) In addition to any other appropriation, there is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the general fund not otherwise appropriated, to the department of human services, for allocation to services for people with disabilities, community services for people with developmental disabilities, program costs, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the implementation of this act. This amount shall remain available until June 30, 2010. (2) For the implementation of this act, the general fund appropriation to the controlled maintenance trust fund made in section 23 of the annual general appropriation act, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008, shall be decreased by five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). SECTION 4. Effective date. This act shall take effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly that is allowed for submitting a referendum petition pursuant to article V, section 1 (3) of the state constitution, (August 6, 2008, if adjournment sine die is on May 7, 2008); except that, if a referendum petition is filed against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part, if approved by the people, shall take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by proclamation of the governor. ________________________________________________________ Andrew Romanoff Peter C. Groff SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE ____________________________ ____________________________ Marilyn Eddins Karen Goldman CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE APPROVED________________________________________ _________________________________________ Bill Ritter, Jr. GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO