CHAPTER 150

(HB 1156)

Department of Social Services to contract with a private organization
to conduct assessment of long-term care services.


         ENTITLED, An Act to  require a study of the continuum of care needs for senior citizens.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:

     Section  1.  The Department of Social Services shall conduct a study of the continuum of care needs for senior citizens. The study shall examine long-term care financing, including long-term care insurance; costs of providing long-term care; alternative approaches to providing long-term care; barriers to the provision of quality long-term care services; programs and techniques employed in other states for providing long-term care; and other issues appropriate to the study of the continuum of care. The department shall submit an interim report with findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than November 15, 2006, and a final report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than November 15, 2007.

     Section  2.  The Department of Social Services may contract with a consultant for the study required in section 1 of this Act. The consultant shall have demonstrated expertise in the continuum of care needs of senior citizens and in evaluating the issues relating to the continuum of care, including infrastructure, capital, and workforce availability.

     Section  3.  Any agency of the state or any organization that has a contract with the state shall cooperate with the Department of Social Services or its consultant for the purpose of providing facts, figures, data, projections, and other information needed to complete the study.

     Section  4.  The provisions of this Act are repealed on December 31, 2007.

     Signed February 14, 2006
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