THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY BAKER, GINGRICH, MICOZZIE, CAUSER, CALTAGIRONE, CARROLL, CLYMER, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, J. EVANS, FRANKEL, GEIST, GEORGE, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARKINS, HARRIS, HENNESSEY, HORNAMAN, HUTCHINSON, JOSEPHS, KAUFFMAN, M.K. KELLER, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MILLER, MUNDY, D. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PICKETT, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, VULAKOVICH AND WATSON, JANUARY 25, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES, JANUARY 25, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L.1234, No.204),

entitled "An act establishing a program to assist persons who

bear primary responsibility for the at-home care of

functionally dependent older adults and victims of chronic

dementia," further providing for reimbursements.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 5 of the act of December 19, 1990

(P.L.1234, No.204), known as the Family Caregiver Support Act,

is amended to read:

Section 5.  Reimbursements.

(a)  General rule.--The department through contracts with

area agencies on aging shall provide the services described in

section 4(c)(1) and shall reimburse qualified primary caregivers

for purchase of approved services described in section 4(c)(2)

and (3).

(b)  Maximum amounts.--

(1)  The maximum amount available to a qualified

caregiver whose household income is under 200% of poverty

level shall be established by regulation, but shall not

exceed [$200] $600 per month, for out-of-pocket expenses

incurred for services described in section 4(c)(2).

(2)  The maximum amount available to a qualified

caregiver whose household income is under 200% of poverty

level shall be established by regulation, but shall not

exceed [$2,000] $6,000 for the entire duration of the case,

for expenses incurred for home modifications or assistive

devices as described in section 4(c)(3).

(c)  Scale of benefits.--A sliding benefits scale shall be

established by the department by regulation to ensure that

caregivers who qualify under this act and whose household income

exceeds 200% of poverty level shall pay some portion of the out-

of-pocket expenses for services described in section 4(c). In no

event will caregivers whose household income exceeds 380% of the

poverty level be considered eligible for benefits under this

act.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.