CS/HB 397

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to caregivers for adults; authorizing the
3Department of Elderly Affairs to create a pilot program in
4specified counties to train persons to act as companions
5and provide certain services to frail adults in the
6community; specifying additional purposes of the pilot
7program; requiring an evaluation and report to the
8Legislature; providing an appropriation; providing an
9effective date.
10
11Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
12
13     Section 1.  (1)  Beginning in the 2007-2008 fiscal year and
14for a period of no longer than 3 years, the Department of
15Elderly Affairs may establish a pilot program in Pasco County or
16Pinellas County, or both, to train persons to act as companions
17and provide personal assistance to frail adults 60 years of age
18or older in the community. The purposes of the pilot program are
19to:
20     (a)  Assist in meeting the growing demand for in-home
21companion care services and personal care services and
22preventing costly and premature institutional placements; and
23     (b)  Act as a direct referral service for the Department of
24Elderly Affairs.
25     (2)  By January 1, 2010, if the pilot program is
26established, the Department of Elderly Affairs shall submit a
27report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
28House of Representatives which includes the status of the
29implementation of the program, the number of persons who have
30been trained to provide community-based care for frail adults 60
31years of age or older who live in the community, the number of
32frail adults 60 years of age or older who have received such
33services, and recommendations for further legislation, including
34a recommendation regarding extending the pilot program
35throughout the state.
36     Section 2.  The sum of $75,000 in nonrecurring revenue is
37appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of
38Elderly Affairs for fiscal year 2007-2008 to implement the
39provisions of this act.
40     Section 3.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.