§ 7-710. Findings; policies

   (a) Findings. -- The General Assembly finds and declares that:

   (1) The Developmental Disabilities Administration has funded individuals with developmental disabilities in successful residential programs in the communities of the State;

   (2) Recipients of services are capable and eager to determine the services and homes they desire to a greater degree than allowed under the present system;

   (3) Currently, to obtain residential service, individuals with developmental disabilities must fit into "slots" available in existing service delivery systems, rather than being supported in their own homes;

   (4) Support services can be tailored to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability, to enable them to live in homes of their own choosing that may include homes owned or rented by the recipient or supplied by parents, relatives, or trusts; and

   (5) The provision of community supported living arrangements services promotes the integration and independence of individuals with developmental disabilities and enhances their quality of life.

(b) Policies; implementation. -- The General Assembly declares that it is the policy of the State to promote the integration and independence of individuals with developmental disabilities and to enhance the quality of life of these individuals by:

   (1) Providing essential community supported living arrangements services to eligible individuals to enable them to:

      (i) Receive services from providers of their own choosing; and

      (ii) Live in their own home or homes of their own choosing in their own community;

   (2) Making community supported living arrangements services available to eligible individuals no matter how severe or profound their disability may be; and

   (3) Tailoring community supported living arrangements services to the needs of the individual recipients, rather than requiring individuals to fit into a preexisting residential service delivery system.

HISTORY: 1991, ch. 615.