This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Michigan lifespan respite services resource act".

     As used in this act:

    (a) "Caregiver" means an individual providing ongoing care for an individual unable to care for himself or herself.

    (b) "Department" means the department of community health.

    (c) "Director" means the director of the department.

    (d) "Respite care" means providing short-term relief to primary caregivers from the demands of ongoing care for an individual whose health and welfare would be jeopardized if left unattended.

    (1) The director shall establish the Michigan lifespan respite services resource network within the department to develop and encourage statewide coordination of respite services and to work with community-based private nonprofit or for-profit agencies, public agencies, and interested citizen groups to engage in networking community lifespan respite services information resources.

    (2) The Michigan lifespan respite services resource network shall do all of the following:

    (a) Develop and distribute respite services information.

    (b) Promote information exchange and coordination among state and local governments, community lifespan respite services programs, agencies serving individuals who need respite care, families of individuals unable to care for themselves, and respite care advocates to encourage efficient provision of respite services and reduce duplication of effort.

    (c) Promote a statewide network of community lifespan respite services.

    (d) Establish a respite care website and a toll-free respite care information hotline.