Sec. 17b-612. (Formerly Sec. 17-624). Transition program for students with disabilities.
Sec. 17b-614. (Formerly Sec. 17-626). State-wide network of independent living centers.
Sec. 17b-615. (Formerly Sec. 17-627). State-wide Independent Living Council.
Sec. 17b-653. (Formerly Sec. 17-663). Eligibility for services.
Sec. 17b-654. (Formerly Sec. 17-664). Administrative review. Appeal.
Sec. 17b-658. (Formerly Sec. 17-668). Cooperation with federal government.
Sec. 17b-659. (Formerly Sec. 17-669). Treasurer to receive and disburse federal funds.
Sec. 17b-660. (Formerly Sec. 17-670). Gifts for vocational rehabilitation.
Sec. 17b-607. (Formerly Sec. 17-606a). Assistive Technology Revolving Fund. Assistive technology evaluation and training services. (a) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services is authorized to establish and administer a fund to be known as the Assistive Technology Revolving Fund. Said fund shall be used by said commissioner to make loans to persons with disabilities, senior citizens or the family members of persons with disabilities or senior citizens for the purchase of assistive technology and adaptive equipment and services. Each such loan shall be made for a term of not more than ten years. Any loans made under this section after July 1, 2013, shall bear interest at a fixed rate not to exceed six per cent. Said commissioner is authorized to expend any funds necessary for the reasonable direct expenses relating to the administration of said fund. Said commissioner shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this section.
(b) The State Bond Commission shall have power from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series in accordance with section 3-20 and in a principal amount necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, but not in excess of an aggregate amount of one million dollars. All of said bonds shall be payable at such place or places as may be determined by the Treasurer pursuant to section 3-19 and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, not exceeding five years from their respective dates, bear interest at such rate or different or varying rates and payable at such time or times, be in such denominations, be in such form with or without interest coupons attached, carry such registration and transfer privileges, be payable in such medium of payment and be subject to such terms of redemption with or without premium as, irrespective of the provisions of said section 3-20, may be provided by the authorization of the State Bond Commission or fixed in accordance therewith. The proceeds of the sale of such bonds shall be deposited in the Assistive Technology Revolving Fund created by this section. Such bonds shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds as the same become due. Accordingly, and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of such bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made and the Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due. Net earnings on investments or reinvestments of proceeds, accrued interest and premiums on the issuance of such bonds, after payment therefrom of expenses incurred by the Treasurer or State Bond Commission in connection with their issuance, shall be deposited in the General Fund of the state.
(c) The Connecticut Tech Act Project, within the Department of Aging and Disability Services and as authorized by 29 USC 3001, may provide assistive technology evaluation and training services upon the request of any person or any public or private entity, to the extent persons who provide assistive technology services are available. The project may charge a fee to any person or entity receiving such assistive technology evaluation and training services to reimburse the department for its costs. The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall establish fees at reasonable rates that will cover the department's direct and indirect costs.
(May Sp. Sess. P.A. 92-7, S. 26, 36; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1, S. 26, 45; P.A. 13-7, S. 3; 13-234, S. 108; P.A. 19-157, S. 63.)
History: P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 93-1 amended Subsec. (b) to increase bond authorization from $500,000 to $1,000,000, effective July 1, 1994; Sec. 17-606a transferred to Sec. 17b-607 in 1995; P.A. 13-7 amended Subsec. (a) to replace “Commissioner of Social Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services”, to add provision requiring fund to be used to make loans to senior citizens or family members of persons with disabilities and senior citizens, to add provision requiring funds to be used for loans for assistive technology and adaptive services, to change maximum loan term from 5 years to 10 years, to replace provision re interest to be determined in accordance with Sec. 3-20(t) with provision re loans made after July 1, 2013, to bear interest at fixed rate not to exceed 6 per cent and to add reference to chapter 54 re adoption of regulations, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 13-234 made identical changes as P.A. 13-7 in Subsec. (a) and added Subsec. (c) re Connecticut Tech Act Project, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services” in Subsecs. (a) and (c) and replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services” in Subsec. (c).
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Sec. 17b-612. (Formerly Sec. 17-624). Transition program for students with disabilities. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall establish a program to assist public school students with disabilities in preparing for and obtaining competitive employment and to strengthen the linkage between vocational rehabilitation services and public schools. Under the program, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall provide, within the limits of available appropriations, vocational evaluations and other appropriate transitional services and shall provide vocational rehabilitation counselors to school districts throughout the state. The counselors shall, if requested, assist those persons planning in-school skill development programs. The counselors shall, with planning and placement team members, develop transition plans and individual education and work rehabilitation plans for students with disabilities who will no longer be eligible for continued public school services. Students whose termination date for receipt of public school services is most immediate shall be given priority.
(P.A. 86-360, S. 1, 2; P.A. 89-237, S. 2, 5, 11; 89-354, S. 15, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 11-44, S. 54; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 66; P.A. 13-7, S. 4; P.A. 17-202, S. 60; P.A. 19-157, S. 64.)
History: P.A. 89-237 changed the program from a three-year pilot to a permanent program, provided that counselors be placed in school districts selected by the division of vocational rehabilitation, deleted obsolete provision re report to general assembly due January 15, 1989, and made a technical change (Revisor's note: The term “division of vocational rehabilitation” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “bureau of rehabilitation services” when P.A. 89-237 was merged with P.A. 89-354 to reflect the name change in section 5 of P.A. 89-354); P.A. 89-354 changed pilot program to continuing program, changed division of vocational services to bureau of rehabilitation services, changed responsibilities of program from state board of education to department of human resources and added the school district of Norwich to section and deleted obsolete study report, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-99e transferred to Sec. 17-624 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-624 transferred to Sec. 17b-612 in 1995; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Department of Social Services” and “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-7 replaced provision re placement of vocational rehabilitation counselors in specified school districts with provision re rehabilitation counselors to be provided to school districts throughout the state, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 17-202 replaced references to disabled students with references to students with disabilities; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-614. (Formerly Sec. 17-626). State-wide network of independent living centers. (a) The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall establish and maintain a state-wide network of centers for independent living.
(b) Not more than five per cent of the amount appropriated in any fiscal year for the purposes of this section may be used by the Department of Aging and Disability Services to provide state-wide administration, evaluation and technical assistance relating to the implementation of this section.
(P.A. 87-563, S. 2, 5; P.A. 89-354, S. 2, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 8; P.A. 11-44, S. 55; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 67; P.A. 19-157, S. 65.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed name of division of rehabilitation services to bureau of rehabilitation services and transferred the bureau from the department of education to the department of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit; i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-4j transferred to Sec. 17-626 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-626 transferred to Sec. 17b-614 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 amended Subsec. (a) by changing the reference to “independent living centers” to “centers for independent living”; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-615. (Formerly Sec. 17-627). State-wide Independent Living Council. (a) The Governor shall appoint a state-wide Independent Living Council, in accordance with Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time.
(b) The council shall meet regularly with the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services and shall perform the following duties: (1) Issue an annual report by January first, with recommendations regarding independent living services and centers, to the Governor and the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, and (2) consult with, advise and make recommendations to the Department of Aging and Disability Services concerning independent living and related policy, management and budgetary issues.
(c) Council members who are consumers shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties as council members.
(P.A. 87-563, S. 3, 5; P.A. 89-144, S. 3; 89-354, S. 3, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 9; P.A. 11-44, S. 56; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 68; P.A. 19-157, S. 66.)
History: P.A. 89-144 amended Subsec. (a) by substituting the office of protection and advocacy for persons with disabilities for the office of protection and advocacy for handicapped and developmentally disabled persons; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibility of section from the director of division of rehabilitation services to the commissioner of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-4k transferred to Sec. 17-627 in 1993 and reference to Sec. 10-4i changed to 17-625 to reflect its transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-627 transferred to Sec. 17b-615 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 replaced the Independent Living Advisory Council with a state-wide Independent Living Council to be appointed by the Governor in accordance with Title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services” and “department” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” and replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services” and replacing “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-650a. Department of Aging and Disability Services. Successor department to Department of Rehabilitation Services. (a) There is created a Department of Aging and Disability Services. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall be responsible for providing the following: (1) Services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing; (2) services for persons who are blind or visually impaired; (3) rehabilitation services in accordance with the provisions of the general statutes concerning the Department of Aging and Disability Services; and (4) services for older persons and their families. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall constitute a successor authority to the Department of Rehabilitation Services in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39.
(b) The department head shall be the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services, who shall be appointed by the Governor in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, and shall have the powers and duties described in said sections. The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall appoint such persons as may be necessary to administer the provisions of public act 11-44* and the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall fix the compensation of such persons in accordance with the provisions of section 4-40. The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may create such sections within the Department of Aging and Disability Services as will facilitate such administration, including a disability determinations section for which one hundred per cent federal funds may be accepted for the operation of such section in conformity with applicable state and federal regulations. The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of the department as established by statute.
(c) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall, annually, in accordance with section 4-60, submit to the Governor a report in electronic format on the activities of the Department of Aging and Disability Services relating to services provided by the department to persons who (1) are blind or visually impaired, (2) are deaf or hard of hearing, (3) receive vocational rehabilitation services, or (4) are older persons or their families. The report shall include the data the department provides to the federal government that relates to the evaluation standards and performance indicators for the vocational rehabilitation services program. The commissioner shall submit the report in electronic format, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.
(d) The functions, powers, duties and personnel of the former Department on Aging, or any subsequent division or portion of a division with similar functions, powers, duties and personnel, shall be transferred to the Department of Aging and Disability Services pursuant to the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39.
(e) The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall constitute a successor department to the former Department on Aging, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39. Wherever the words “Commissioner on Aging” are used in the general statutes, the words “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services” shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Wherever the words “Department on Aging” are used in the general statutes, the words “Department of Aging and Disability Services” shall be substituted in lieu thereof. Any order or regulation of the former Department on Aging that is in force on the effective date of this section shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation of the Department of Aging and Disability Services until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law.
(f) The Governor may, with the approval of the Finance Advisory Committee, transfer funds between the Department of Social Services and the Department of Aging and Disability Services pursuant to subsection (b) of section 4-87 during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.
(g) The Department of Aging and Disability Services is designated as the State Unit on Aging to administer, manage, design and advocate for benefits, programs and services for older persons and their families pursuant to the Older Americans Act. The department shall study continuously the conditions and needs of older persons in this state in relation to nutrition, transportation, home care, housing, income, employment, health, recreation and other matters. The department shall be responsible, in cooperation with federal, state, local and area planning agencies on aging, for the overall planning, development and administration of a comprehensive and integrated social service delivery system for older persons. The Department of Aging and Disability Services is designated as the state agency for the administration of nutritional programs for elderly persons described in section 17a-302, the fall prevention program described in section 17a-303a, the CHOICES program described in section 17a-314, the Aging and Disability Resource Center Program described in section 17a-316a and the Alzheimer's respite program described in section 17b-349e.
(P.A. 11-44, S. 1; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 28; P.A. 13-7, S. 5; P.A. 16-66, S. 50; P.A. 17-202, S. 62; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2, S. 97, 731; P.A. 18-169, S. 8; P.A. 19-157, S. 67.)
*Note: Public act 11-44 is entitled “An Act Concerning the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services and Implementation of Provisions of the Budget Concerning Human Services and Public Health”. (See Reference Table captioned “Public Acts of 2011” in Volume 16 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, revised to January 1, 2019, which lists the sections amended, created or repealed by the act.)
History: P.A. 11-44 effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing provision re creation of Bureau of Rehabilitative Services within Department of Social Services for administrative purposes with provisions re creation of Department of Rehabilitation Services and re Department of Social Services providing administrative support services to Department of Rehabilitation Services, and adding provision re successor authority, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-7 amended Subsec. (a) to make technical changes, amended Subsec. (b) to add provision allowing Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services to adopt regulations and to make technical changes and added Subsec. (c) re commissioner to submit annual report, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 16-66 added Subsec. (d) re Department of Rehabilitation Services as successor department to Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities with respect to investigations of allegations of abuse or neglect, effective May 27, 2016; P.A. 17-202 amended Subsec. (a)(1) by replacing “the deaf and hearing impaired” with “persons who are deaf or hard of hearing”, amended Subsec. (a)(2) by replacing “the blind and” with “persons who are blind or”, and amended Subsec. (c) by replacing former Subdivs. (1) to (3) re individuals to whom services are provided by the department with “persons with disabilities”; June Sp. Sess. P.A. 17-2 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “the deaf and hearing impaired” with “persons who are deaf or hard of hearing” in Subdiv. (1), and replaced “the blind and visually impaired” with “persons who are blind or visually impaired” in Subdiv. (2), amended Subsec. (c) by replacing “individuals” with “persons”, and replacing “hearing impaired” with “hard of hearing” in Subdiv. (2), deleted Subsec. (d) re Department of Rehabilitation Services to constitute successor to Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, and repealed P.A. 17-202, S. 62, effective October 31, 2017; P.A. 18-169 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting provision re Department of Social Services to provide administrative support services, adding Subdiv. (4) re services for older persons and their families, amended Subsec. (c) by adding Subdiv. (4) re older persons or their families, added Subsec. (d) re functions, powers, duties and personnel of former Department on Aging, added Subsec. (e) re successor department to former Department on Aging, added Subsec. (f) re transfer of funds between Department of Social Services and Department of Rehabilitation Services, added Subsec. (g) re designated State Unit on Aging, and made technical changes, effective June 14, 2018; P.A. 19-157 amended Subsec. (a)(4) to replace “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services” and replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-650e. Department of Aging and Disability Services. Assistance for deaf and hard of hearing persons. The Department of Aging and Disability Services may provide necessary services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, including, but not limited to, nonreimbursable interpreter services and message relay services for persons using telecommunication devices for persons who are deaf.
(P.A. 11-44, S. 33; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 69; P.A. 17-202, S. 63; P.A. 19-157, S. 68.)
History: P.A. 11-44 effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 17-202 replaced references to deaf and hearing impaired persons with references to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and made a conforming change; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-651a. Disability determination services unit. Inquiries into criminal history of applicants for employment. The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall inquire into the criminal history of any applicant, who is not at the time of application employed by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, for a position of employment with the department's disability determination services unit. Such inquiry shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of section 31-51i. The commissioner shall require each such applicant to state whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a crime, whether criminal charges are pending against the applicant at the time of application, and, if so, to identify the charges and court in which such charges are pending. Each such applicant offered a position of employment with the department's disability determination services unit shall be required to submit to fingerprinting and state and national criminal history records checks, as provided in section 29-17a.
(Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5, S. 67; P.A. 11-44, S. 57; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 70; P.A. 19-157, S. 69.)
History: Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-5 effective October 5, 2009; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Commissioner of Social Services” with “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, replaced “Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced references to director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services with references to Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and replaced references to Bureau of Rehabilitative Services with references to Department of Rehabilitation Services, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services” and replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-653. (Formerly Sec. 17-663). Eligibility for services. (a) Vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided, with or without public cost, directly or through public or private instrumentalities, as part of an individual plan for employment for a person with disabilities determined to be eligible by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that an individual's ability or inability to share in the cost of vocational rehabilitation services may be taken into account during the determination of eligibility for such services.
(b) If vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided for all eligible persons with disabilities who apply for such services, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall determine, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., and federal regulations, as amended from time to time, the order to be followed in selecting those to whom such services will be provided.
(c) Nothing in section 17b-650 or subsection (a) of this section shall be construed to preclude provision of vocational rehabilitation services, with or without public cost, to a person with a disability under an extended evaluation for a total period not in excess of eighteen months, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time.
(d) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish standards and procedures governing the provision of vocational rehabilitation services and, where appropriate, a means test to determine, based upon the financial need of each eligible person with disabilities, the extent to which such services will be provided at public cost. Any funds received by the Department of Aging and Disability Services from individuals or third parties for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services shall be used by the department to provide such services. The regulations may also prescribe the procedures to be used when payment is made by individuals required to contribute to the cost of vocational rehabilitation services. Regulations developed to implement a means test shall include, but not be limited to: (1) An exemption for any individual with an income of less than one hundred per cent of the state median income and assets which are less than five thousand dollars; (2) an exemption for services covered in an individual plan for employment in effect at the time of implementation of the means test; (3) an exclusion from an individual's income of the costs of necessary and reasonable disability-related expenses including, but not limited to, personal attendant services and medications for which payment is unavailable to the individual through other benefits or resources; (4) an exclusion from the individual's assets of the value of the individual's primary residence and motor vehicle; (5) a method by which the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services may reduce the level of required contributions by an individual in the case of undue hardship; and (6) a requirement that the Department of Aging and Disability Services notify an individual of the results of the means test analysis within thirty days of receipt of necessary financial information from the individual. Such means test shall not apply to services covered under a determination of financial need made by an institution of higher education. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall develop the regulations in consultation with representatives of providers of vocational rehabilitation services and recipients of such services or their representatives.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 3; 1967, P.A. 337, S. 2, 3; 1969, P.A. 449, S. 2-4; P.A. 77-614, S. 541, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 3, 8; P.A. 79-344, S. 2; P.A. 85-551; P.A. 89-354, S. 6, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 14, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 2; P.A. 98-103; P.A. 11-44, S. 58; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 71; P.A. 19-157, S. 70.)
History: 1967 act amended Subsec. (a) to include services to present or potential social security disability beneficiaries regardless of residency and to those requiring service to determine their potential to benefit from rehabilitation service, removed limitations on provision of services at public cost which had excluded payment for diagnostic and related services and limited payments to “the extent that the handicapped individual is found to require financial assistance” and added Subsec. (c); 1969 act amended Subsec. (a) to include services to families of handicapped persons, to delete provision concerning residency and social security disability as eligibility criteria and to add provision concerning evaluation and work adjustment services, amended Subsec. (b) to include evaluation and work adjustment services and amended Subsec. (c) to include persons with arthritis, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis or renal failure; P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 substituted state board of education for department of human resources; P.A. 79-344 deleted provisions concerning evaluation and work adjustment services and revised Subsec. (c) to replace specific and detailed provisions governing extended evaluations with more general provisions; P.A. 85-551 added provisions re regulations to establish standards and procedures for determining when part of the cost of services is to be paid by the recipient; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed “handicapped individual” to “person with a disability”, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date to P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-102 transferred to Sec. 17-663 in 1993 and internal reference to Sec. 10-100 revised to reflect its transfer to Sec. 17-660; P.A. 93-262 replaced department of human resources with department of social services and deleted reference to income maintenance department's advisory role in developing regulations, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-663 transferred to Sec. 17b-653 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 replaced previous criteria for provision of services with requirement that vocational rehabilitation services be provided in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time; P.A. 98-103 amended Subsec. (a) to require that vocational rehabilitation services be provided “with or without” public cost in lieu of “completely or in part, at” public cost, amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change consistent with Subsec. (a) and amended Subsec. (d) to authorize adoption of regulations establishing a means test to determine extent to which such services will be provided at public cost, to specify six requirements for the regulations re means test and to make various technical changes; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (a) by replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and replacing “written rehabilitation program” with “plan for employment”, amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, amended Subsec. (d) by replacing “Department of Social Services” with “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” or “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, replacing “department” with “bureau” and replacing “written rehabilitation program” with “plan for employment”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced references to Bureau of Rehabilitative Services with references to Department of Rehabilitation Services, replaced references to director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services with references to Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services” and replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-654. (Formerly Sec. 17-664). Administrative review. Appeal. (a) Any applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services may request an informal review of any decision made by the Department of Aging and Disability Services pursuant to section 17b-653.
(b) Regardless of whether a person requests an informal review under subsection (a) of this section, any applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services who is aggrieved by a decision made by the Department of Aging and Disability Services pursuant to section 17b-653 may request an administrative hearing, by making written request to the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services.
(c) An individual who is aggrieved by a final agency decision made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183. Such appeals shall be privileged cases to be heard by the court as soon after the return day as shall be practicable.
(P.A. 79-344, S. 3; P.A. 89-354, S. 7, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 3; P.A. 11-44, S. 59; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 72; P.A. 19-157, S. 71.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from state board of education to department of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-102a transferred to Sec. 17-664 in 1993 and internal reference to Sec. 10-102 revised to reflect its transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-664 transferred to Sec. 17b-654 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 substituted “informal” for “administrative” review in Subsec. (a), added Subsec. (b) which provides for an administrative hearing and added Subsec. (c) which provides for an appeal in accordance with Sec. 4-183; P.A. 11-44 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services” and “bureau” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced references to Bureau of Rehabilitative Services with references to Department of Rehabilitation Services and replaced “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services” in Subsecs. (a) and (b) and replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services” in Subsec. (b).
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Sec. 17b-655. (Formerly Sec. 17-665). Powers and duties of Department of Aging and Disability Services re vocational education. (a) In carrying out sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein and in establishing, developing and providing such programs, facilities and services as it deems necessary or desirable. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall not be required to pay that portion of the cost of a program of postsecondary education or training which is properly designated as expected parental or family contribution in accordance with state and federal law regarding eligibility for student financial aid.
(b) Subject to the approval of all real estate acquisitions by the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the State Properties Review Board, in carrying out said sections, the Department of Aging and Disability Services may (1) establish, operate, foster and promote the establishment of rehabilitation facilities and make grants to public and other nonprofit and nonsectarian organizations for such purposes; (2) assist persons with significant disabilities to establish and operate small businesses; and (3) make studies, investigations, demonstrations and reports, and provide training and instruction, including the establishment and maintenance of such research fellowships and traineeships with such stipends and allowances as may be deemed necessary, in matters relating to vocational rehabilitation.
(c) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall develop and maintain a program of public education and information. The program shall include, but not be limited to, education of the public concerning services available from the Department of Aging and Disability Services, its policies and goals, an outreach effort to discover persons with disabilities, including such persons who are minorities as defined in subsection (a) of section 32-9n, who may benefit from the services it offers and the dissemination of printed materials to persons at their initial meeting with staff of the department, including a statement of such person's rights. Each state agency providing services to persons with disabilities shall furnish to each person applying for such services, at the time of initial application, a written summary of all state programs for persons with disabilities. Such summary shall be developed by the Department of Social Services as the lead agency for services to persons with disabilities pursuant to section 17b-606. The Department of Social Services shall distribute sufficient copies of the summary to all state agencies providing services to persons with disabilities in order that such copies may be furnished in accordance with this subsection.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 449, S. 5; P.A. 75-425, S. 28, 57; P.A. 77-614, S. 73, 542, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 4, 8; P.A. 87-496, S. 47, 110; P.A. 89-354, S. 8, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 91-303, S. 1, 2, 22; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 4; P.A. 11-44, S. 60; 11-51, S. 44; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 73; P.A. 13-7, S. 8; P.A. 17-202, S. 64; P.A. 19-157, S. 72.)
History: 1969 act deleted provision empowering board to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states, allowed state board itself to establish and operate facilities as well as to foster and promote their establishment and deleted reference to workshops; P.A. 75-425 made real estate acquisitions subject to approval of public works commissioner and state properties review board; P.A. 77-614 transferred powers and duties of state board of education to department of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 returned powers and duties to state board of education; P.A. 87-496 substituted public works for administrative services commissioner in Subsec. (b); P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed “handicapped individual” to “person with a disability” and added new Subsec. (c) re program of public education and information, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; P.A. 91-303 in Subsec. (a) added the clause concerning expected parental or family contribution; Sec. 10-103 transferred to Sec. 17-665 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-665 transferred to Sec. 17b-655 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 made a technical change; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Department of Social Services”, “Division of Rehabilitation Services” and “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and replaced “Commissioner of Social Services” with “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 11-51, “Commissioner of Public Works” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Administrative Services” in Subsec. (b), effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, replaced “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-7 amended Subsec. (a) to replace reference to Sec. 17b-665 with reference to Sec. 17b-663, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 17-202 amended Subsec. (b) by replacing “severe” with “significant” in Subdiv. (2); P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services” and replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-657. (Formerly Sec. 17-667). Duties of Department of Aging and Disability Services regarding medical, diagnostic, physical restoration training and other rehabilitation services. The Department of Aging and Disability Services is authorized to provide such medical, diagnostic, physical restoration, training and other rehabilitation services as may be needed to enable persons with disabilities to attain the maximum degree of self care. The powers herein delegated and authorized to the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall be in addition to those authorized by any other law and shall become effective upon authorization of federal grant-in-aid funds for participation in the cost of independent living rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall be authorized to cooperate with whatever federal agency is directed to administer the federal aspects of such program and to comply with such requirements and conditions as may be established for the receipt and disbursement of federal grant-in-aid funds which may be made available to the state of Connecticut in carrying out such program.
(P.A. 79-344, S. 4; P.A. 89-354, S. 10, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 11-44, S. 61; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 75; P.A. 19-157, S. 73.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed “handicapped individual” to “person with a disability”, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-103b transferred to Sec. 17-667 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-667 transferred to Sec. 17b-657 in 1995; P.A. 11-44 replaced references to Department of Social Services and its Bureau of Rehabilitation Services with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-658. (Formerly Sec. 17-668). Cooperation with federal government. The Department of Aging and Disability Services is authorized to cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation, to adopt such methods of administration as it finds necessary for the proper and efficient operation of agreements or plans for vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes to this state.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 543, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 5, 8; P.A. 89-354, S. 11, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 11-44, S. 62; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 76; P.A. 19-157, S. 74.)
History: P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 replaced department of human resources with state board of education; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from state board of education to department of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-104 transferred to Sec. 17-668 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-668 transferred to Sec. 17b-658 in 1995; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-659. (Formerly Sec. 17-669). Treasurer to receive and disburse federal funds. The State Treasurer is designated as the custodian of all funds received from the federal government for the purpose of carrying out any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation or any agreements authorized by sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, and shall make disbursements from such funds and from all state funds available for vocational rehabilitation purposes upon certification by the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 544, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 6, 8; P.A. 89-354, S. 12, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 11-44, S. 63; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 77; P.A. 19-157, S. 75.)
History: P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 replaced department of human resources with state board of education; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from commissioner of education to commission of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-105 transferred to Sec. 17-669 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-669 transferred to Sec. 17b-659 in 1995; P.A. 11-44 deleted exception for services to the blind and replaced “Commissioner of Social Services” with “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-660. (Formerly Sec. 17-670). Gifts for vocational rehabilitation. The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services is authorized to accept and use gifts made unconditionally by will or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of the general statutes concerning the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services are proper and consistent with the provisions of said sections may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in accordance with the conditions of the gift.
(1949 Rev., S. 1411; 1957, P.A. 557, S. 7; P.A. 77-614, S. 545, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 7, 8; P.A. 85-377, S. 3, 13; P.A. 89-354, S. 13, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 11-44, S. 64; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 78; P.A. 19-157, S. 76.)
History: P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 replaced department of human resources with state board of education; P.A. 85-377 substituted “commissioner” for “state board” of education; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from commissioner of education to commissioner of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-106 transferred to Sec. 17-670 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-670 transferred to Sec. 17b-660 in 1995; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Commissioner of Social Services” with “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and replaced reference to Secs. 17b-650 to 17b-663 with reference to “the general statutes concerning the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services”, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced “director of the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” and replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services” with “Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services” and replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-661. (Formerly Sec. 17-671). Purchase of wheelchairs, placement equipment and adaptive equipment. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the Department of Aging and Disability Services may, within the limits of appropriations, purchase (1) wheelchairs and placement equipment directly and without the issuance of a purchase order, provided the cost of such purchases shall not be in excess of twenty thousand dollars per unit, and (2) adaptive equipment, including equipment to modify vehicles for persons with disabilities directly and without the issuance of a purchase order, provided the cost of such purchases of adaptive equipment shall not be in excess of one hundred twenty thousand dollars per unit. All such purchases shall be made in the open market, but shall, when possible, be based on at least three competitive bids. Such bids shall be solicited by sending notice to prospective suppliers and by posting notice on the Internet web site of the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Each bid shall be opened publicly at the time stated in the notice soliciting such bid. Acceptance of a bid by the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall be based on standard specifications as may be adopted by said department.
(P.A. 77-264; P.A. 89-354, S. 14, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 11-44, S. 65; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 79; P.A. 13-7, S. 6; P.A. 19-157, S. 77.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and added new Subdiv. (2) re adaptive equipment and modified vehicles, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to 60 days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the U.S. Department of Education that department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and that proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-106a transferred to Sec. 17-671 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-671 transferred to Sec. 17b-661 in 1995; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” and made conforming changes, effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 replaced references to Bureau of Rehabilitative Services with references to Department of Rehabilitation Services and replaced provision re posting notice on a public bulletin board with provision re posting notice on the department's Internet web site, effective July 1, 2012; P.A. 13-7 amended Subdiv. (1) to replace $3,500 per unit with $20,000 per unit re cost of wheelchairs and placement equipment, amended Subdiv. (2) to replace $10,000 per unit with $120,000 per unit re cost of adaptive equipment and equipment to modify vehicles, deleted provision re purchases of modified vehicles and made technical changes, effective July 1, 2013; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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Sec. 17b-666. Employment opportunities program for underserved persons with significant disabilities. Regulations. (a) The Department of Aging and Disability Services may receive state and federal funds to administer, within available appropriations, an employment opportunities program to serve individuals with the most significant disabilities who do not meet the eligibility requirements of supported employment programs administered by the Departments of Developmental Services, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services. For the purposes of this section, “individuals with the most significant disabilities” means those individuals who (1) have serious employment limitations in a total of three or more functional areas including, but not limited to, mobility, communication, self-care, interpersonal skills, work tolerance or work skills, or (2) will require significant ongoing disability-related services on the job in order to maintain employment.
(b) The employment opportunities program shall provide extended services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(19), that are necessary for individuals with the most significant disabilities to maintain supported employment. Such services shall include coaching and other related services that allow participants to obtain and maintain employment and maximize economic self-sufficiency.
(c) The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
(P.A. 01-61, S. 1, 2; P.A. 07-73, S. 2(a); P.A. 11-44, S. 67; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1, S. 81; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3, S. 60; P.A. 19-157, S. 78.)
History: P.A. 01-61 effective July 1, 2001; pursuant to P.A. 07-73 “Department of Mental Retardation” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Department of Developmental Services”, effective October 1, 2007; P.A. 11-44 replaced “Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services” with “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” in Subsec. (a) and made a conforming change in Subsec. (c), effective July 1, 2011; June 12 Sp. Sess. P.A. 12-1 amended Subsecs. (a) and (c) by replacing “Bureau of Rehabilitative Services” with “Department of Rehabilitation Services”, effective July 1, 2012; May Sp. Sess. P.A. 16-3 amended Subsec. (a) by adding “, Social Services”, effective July 1, 2016; P.A. 19-157 replaced “Department of Rehabilitation Services” with “Department of Aging and Disability Services”.
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