PRINTER'S NO. 4114
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2679
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BOBACK, YOUNGBLOOD, BROOKS, HELM, FLYNN, ROTHMAN,
MURT, HANBIDGE, DONATUCCI, READSHAW, HOWARD AND SCHLEGEL
CULVER, JULY 8, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, JULY 8, 2020
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 primary caregiver support
program.
The General Assembly recognizes that:
(1) There is an enormous need in this Commonwealth for
services to assist families that provide at-home care to
functionally dependent older adults and other adults who are
victims of chronic dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.
(2) Most care provided for such individuals is delivered
by family members. Family involvement is a critical element
for avoiding or postponing institutionalization of
functionally dependent older adults or those adults who are
victims of a chronic dementia such as Alzheimer's disease.
(3) Primary caregivers who provide continuous care in
the home are frequently under substantial physical,
psychological and financial stress. Respite care and other
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supportive services for the caregiver could relieve some of
the stress while maintaining and strengthening the family
structure.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 4(c) of the act of December 19, 1990
(P.L.1234, No.204), known as the Family Caregiver Support Act,
is amended to read:
Section 4. Primary caregiver support program.
* * *
(c) Supportive services.--The department shall identify by
regulation supportive services which are directly related to the
provision of care to the care receiver. Supportive services
include, but are not limited to:
(1) Benefits counseling and primary caregiver
counseling, education and training.
(2) Reimbursement to primary caregivers whose care
receivers' households financially qualify for assistance
under section 5 and as set forth through regulation for
expenses incurred in obtaining day or night respite care
services, transportation to respite care service locations or
other supportive services defined by regulation, and
consumable supplies such as incontinence pads.
(3) Reimbursement to primary caregivers whose care
receivers' households financially qualify for assistance
under section 5 and as developed through regulation for
expenses incurred in obtaining home modifications or
assistive devices as approved by the department which help
the care receiver to carry out tasks required for daily
living such as grab bars, safety devices and wheelchair
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ramps.
(4) Respite care services of up to three hours per week
in order for care receivers to attend an older adult daily
living center as defined in section 2 of the act of July 11,
1990 (P.L.499, No.118), known as the Older Adult Daily Living
Centers Licensing Act.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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