HB-4476, As Passed House, February 24, 2004

SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 4476

                                                                             A bill to provide respite care information resources; to                          

establish a unified Michigan lifespan respite services resource             

network to disseminate community lifespan respite services                  

information resources; and to prescribe the powers and duties of            

certain departments of this state.                                          

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

1       Sec. 1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the                    

2   "Michigan lifespan respite services resource act".                          

3       Sec. 2.  As used in this act:                                               

4       (a) "Caregiver" means an individual providing ongoing care                  

5   for an individual unable to care for himself or herself.                    

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

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

8       (d) "Respite care" means providing short-term relief to                     

9   primary caregivers from the demands of ongoing care for an                  

1   individual whose health and welfare would be jeopardized if left            

2   unattended.                                                                 

3       Sec. 3.  (1) The director shall establish the Michigan                      

4   lifespan respite services resource network within the department            

5   to develop and encourage statewide coordination of respite                  

6   services and to work with community-based private nonprofit or              

7   for-profit agencies, public agencies, and interested citizen                

8   groups to engage in networking community lifespan respite                   

9   services information resources.                                             

10      (2) The Michigan lifespan respite services resource network                 

11  shall do all of the following:                                              

12      (a) Develop and distribute respite services information.                    

13      (b) Promote information exchange and coordination among state               

14  and local governments, community lifespan respite services                  

15  programs, agencies serving individuals who need respite care,               

16  families of individuals unable to care for themselves, and                  

17  respite care advocates to encourage efficient provision of                  

18  respite services and reduce duplication of effort.                          

19      (c) Promote a statewide network of community lifespan respite               

20  services.                                                                   

21      (d) Establish a respite care website and a toll-free respite                

22  care information hotline.