SECOND REGULAR SESSION
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES PORTWOOD (Sponsor), DEEKEN, BAKER (25), ONDER, ROORDA, AVERY, RUESTMAN, BRUNS, DOUGHERTY, SANDER, FAITH, FUNDERBURK, BROWN (50) AND McGHEE (Co-sponsors).
Read 1st time January 14, 2008 and copies ordered printed.
D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal sections 630.003, 630.635, 633.005, 633.010, 633.029, 633.115, 633.120, 633.125, 633.130, 633.135, 633.140, 633.145, 633.150, 633.160, 633.180, 633.185, and 633.190, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof seventeen new sections relating to the term "mental retardation" as used by the division of mental retardation and developmental disabilities.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Sections 630.003, 630.635, 633.005, 633.010, 633.029, 633.115, 633.120, 633.125, 633.130, 633.135, 633.140, 633.145, 633.150, 633.160, 633.180, 633.185, and 633.190, RSMo, are repealed and seventeen new sections enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as sections 630.003, 630.635, 633.005, 633.010, 633.029, 633.115, 633.120, 633.125, 633.130, 633.135, 633.140, 633.145, 633.150, 633.160, 633.180, 633.185, and 633.190, to read as follows:
630.003. 1. There is hereby created a department of mental health to be headed by a mental health commission who shall appoint a director, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. The director shall be the administrative head of the department and shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and be compensated as provided by law for the director, division of mental health. All employees of the department shall be selected in accordance with chapter 36, RSMo.
2. (1) The "State Mental Health Commission", composed of seven members, is the successor to the former state mental health commission and it has all the powers, duties and responsibilities of the former commission. All members of the commission shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate. None of the members shall otherwise be employed by the state of Missouri.
(2) Three of the commission members first appointed shall be appointed for terms of four years, and two shall be appointed for terms of three years, and two shall be appointed for a term of two years. The governor shall designate, at the time the appointments are made, the length of the term of each member so appointed. Thereafter all terms shall be for four years.
(3) At least two of the members of the commission shall be physicians, one of whom shall be recognized as an expert in the field of the treatment of nervous and mental diseases, and one of whom shall be recognized as an expert in the field of [mental retardation or of other] developmental disabilities. At least two of the members of the commission shall be representative of persons or groups who are consumers having substantial interest in the services provided by the division, one of whom shall represent the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled and one of whom shall represent those persons being treated for nervous and mental diseases. Of the other three members at least one must be recognized for his or her expertise in general business management procedures, and two shall be recognized for their interest and expertise in dealing with alcohol/drug abuse problems, or community mental health services.
3. The provisions of sections 191.120, 191.125, 191.130, 191.140, 191.150, 191.160, 191.170, 191.180, 191.190, 191.200, 191.210, RSMo, and others as they relate to the division of mental health not previously reassigned by executive reorganization plan number 2 of 1973 as submitted by the governor under chapter 26, RSMo, are transferred by specific type transfer from the department of public health and welfare to the department of mental health. The division of mental health, department of health and welfare, chapter 202, RSMo, and others are abolished and all powers, duties and functions now assigned by law to the division, the director of the divisions of mental health or any of the institutions or officials of the division are transferred by type I transfer to the department of mental health.
4. The Missouri institute of psychiatry, which is under the board of curators of the University of Missouri is hereafter to be known as the "Missouri Institute of Mental Health". The purpose of the institute will be that of conducting research into improving services for persons served by the department of mental health for fostering the training of psychiatric residents in public psychiatry and for fostering excellence in mental health services through employee training and the study of mental health policy and ethics. To assist in this training, hospitals operated by and providers contracting with the department of mental health may be used for the same purposes and under the same arrangements as the board of curators of the University of Missouri utilizes with other hospitals in the state in supervising residency training for medical doctors. Appropriations requests for the Missouri institute of mental health shall be jointly developed by the University of Missouri and the department of mental health. All appropriations for the Missouri institute of mental health shall be made to the curators of the University of Missouri but shall be submitted separately from the appropriations of the curators of the University of Missouri.
5. There is hereby established within the department of mental health a division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities. The director of the division shall be appointed by the director of the department. The division shall administer all state facilities under the direction and authority of the department director. The Marshall Habilitation Center, the Higginsville Habilitation Center, the Bellefontaine Habilitation Center, the Nevada Habilitation Center, the St. Louis Developmental Disabilities Treatment Centers, and the regional centers located at Albany, Columbia, Hannibal, Joplin, Kansas City, Kirksville, Poplar Bluff, Rolla, St. Louis, Sikeston and Springfield and other similar facilities as may be established, are transferred by type I transfer to the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities. Any alteration of the title of the division established in this subsection shall not be construed to change the criteria by which the division makes eligibility determinations for its programs and services.
6. All the duties, powers and functions of the advisory council on [mental retardation and] community health centers, sections 202.664 to 202.666, RSMo, are hereby transferred by type I transfer to the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities of the department of mental health. The advisory council on [mental retardation and] community health centers shall be appointed by the division director.
7. The advisory council on [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities heretofore established by executive order and all of the duties, powers and functions of the advisory council including the responsibilities of the provision of the council in regard to the Federal Development Disabilities Law (P.L. 91-517) and all amendments thereto are transferred by type I transfer to the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities. The advisory council on [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities shall be appointed by the director of the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities.
8. The advisory council on alcoholism and drug abuse, chapter 202, RSMo, is transferred by type II transfer to the department of mental health and the members of the advisory council shall be appointed by the mental health director.
630.635. 1. If a resident in a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center, or [his] the resident's parent if he or she is a minor, or his or her legal guardian refuses to consent to the proposed placement, the head of the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center may petition, under the procedures in section 633.135, RSMo, the director of the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities to determine whether the proposed placement is appropriate under chapter 633, RSMo.
2. If a patient in a mental health facility, or [his] the patient's parent if he or she is a minor, or his or her legal guardian refuses to consent to the proposed placement, the head of the mental health facility may petition the director of the division of comprehensive psychiatric services to determine whether the proposed placement is appropriate under sections 630.610, 630.615 and 630.620.
3. The director of the division of comprehensive psychiatric services shall refer the petition to the chairman of the state advisory council for his division who shall appoint and convene a review panel composed of three members. At least one member of the panel shall be a family member or guardian of a patient who resides in a mental health facility operated by the department. The remaining members of the panel shall be persons who are from nongovernmental organizations or groups concerned with the prevention of mental disorders, evaluation, care, treatment or rehabilitation of persons affected by the same conditions as the patient the department seeks to place and who are familiar with services and service needs of persons in mental health facilities operated by the department. No member of the panel shall be an officer or employee of the department.
4. After prompt notice and hearing, the panel shall determine whether the proposed placement is appropriate under sections 630.610, 630.615 and 630.620. The hearing shall be electronically recorded for purposes of obtaining a transcript. The council shall forward the tape recording, recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision to the director who shall enter findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the final decision. Notice of the director's decision shall be sent to the patient, or [his] the patient's parent if he is a minor, or his or her guardian by registered mail, return receipt requested. The director shall expedite this review in all respects.
5. If the patient, or [his] the patient's parent if he or she is a minor, or his or her guardian disagrees with the decision of the director, he or she may appeal the decision, within thirty days after notice of the decision is sent, to the circuit court of the county where the patient or resident, or [his] the patient's or resident's parent if he or she is a minor, or his or her guardian resides. The court shall review the record, proceedings and decision of the director not only under the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, but also as to whether or not the head of the facility or the department sustained its burden of proof that the proposed placement is appropriate under sections [630.110, 630.115 and 630.120] 630.610, 630.615, and 630.620. The court shall expedite this review in all respects. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 536.140, RSMo, a court may, for good cause shown, hear and consider additional competent and material evidence.
6. The notice and procedure for the hearing by the panel shall be in accordance with chapter 536, RSMo.
7. In all proceedings either before the panel or before the circuit court, the burden of proof shall be upon the head of the facility to demonstrate by a preponderance of evidence that the proposed placement is appropriate under the criteria set forth in sections 630.610, 630.615 and [630.120] 630.620.
8. Pending the convening of the hearing panel and the final decision of the director or the court if the director's decision is appealed, the department shall not place or discharge the patient from a facility except that the department may temporarily transfer such patient in the case of a medical emergency.
9. There shall be no retaliation against any state employee as the result of a good faith decision to place the patient which is appealed and who testifies during a hearing or otherwise provides information or evidence in regard to a proposed placement.
633.005. As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Comprehensive evaluation", a study, including a sequence of observations and examinations, of an individual leading to conclusions and recommendations formulated jointly by an interdisciplinary team of persons with special training and experience in the diagnosis and habilitation of the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled;
(2) "Division", the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities of the department of mental health;
(3) "Division director", the director of the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities of the department of mental health, or his designee;
(4) "[Mental retardation facility] Habilitation center", a private or department facility, other than a regional center, which admits persons who are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled for residential habilitation and other services and which is qualified or licensed as such by the department pursuant to chapter 630, RSMo. Such terms shall include, but shall not be limited to, habilitation centers and private or public residential facilities for persons who are developmentally disabled;
(5) "Regional center", an entity so designated by the department to provide, directly or indirectly, for comprehensive [mental retardation and] developmental disability services under this chapter in a particular region;
(6) "Respite care", temporary and short-term residential care, sustenance and supervision of a mentally retarded or developmentally disabled person who otherwise resides in a family home;
(7) "State advisory council", the Missouri advisory council on [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities as created in section 633.020.
633.010. 1. The division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities[, created by the omnibus reorganization act of 1974, section 9, appendix B, RSMo,] shall be a division of the department. The division shall have the responsibility of insuring that [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities prevention, evaluation, care, habilitation and rehabilitation services are accessible, wherever possible. The division shall have and exercise supervision of division residential facilities, day programs and other specialized services operated by the department, and oversight over facilities, programs and services funded or licensed by the department.
2. The powers, functions and duties of the division shall include the following:
(1) Provision of funds for the planning and implementation of accessible programs to serve persons affected by [mental retardation or] developmental disabilities;
(2) Review of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities plans submitted to receive state and federal funds allocated by the department;
(3) Provision of technical assistance and training to community-based programs to assist in the planning and implementation of quality services;
(4) Assurance of program quality in compliance with such appropriate standards as may be established by the department;
(5) Sponsorship and encouragement of research into the causes, effects, prevention, habilitation and rehabilitation of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities;
(6) Provision of public information relating to [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities and their habilitation;
(7) Cooperation with nonstate governmental agencies and the private sector in establishing, conducting, integrating and coordinating [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities programs and projects;
(8) Cooperation with other state agencies to encourage appropriate health facilities to serve, without discrimination, persons who are mentally retarded or developmentally disabled who require medical care and to provide them with adequate and appropriate services;
(9) Participation in developing and implementing a statewide plan to alleviate problems relating to [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities and to overcome the barriers to their solutions;
(10) Encouragement of coordination of division services with other divisions of the department and other state agencies;
(11) Encouragement of the utilization, support, assistance and dedication of volunteers to assist persons affected by [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities to be accepted and integrated into normal community activities;
(12) Evaluation, or the requirement of the evaluation, including the collection of appropriate necessary information, of [mental retardation or] developmental disabilities programs to determine their cost-and-benefit effectiveness;
(13) Participation in developing standards for residential facilities, day programs and specialized services operated, funded or licensed by the department for persons affected by [mental retardation or] developmental disabilities.
633.029. All persons determined eligible for services provided by the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities prior to January 1, 1991, shall be eligible for services on the basis of their earlier determination of eligibility without regard to their eligibility status under the definition of developmental disability contained in section 630.005, RSMo.
633.115. The regional center shall secure services for its clients in the least restrictive environment consistent with individualized habilitation plans. As a result of its comprehensive evaluation, the regional center shall utilize the following entities to secure services:
(1) Agencies serving persons not diagnosed as mentally retarded or developmentally disabled in which the client would be eligible to receive available services or in which the services could be made available to the client through the purchase of assistive or supportive services;
(2) Agencies serving mentally retarded or developmentally disabled persons in which the client would be eligible to receive available services or in which services could be made available to the client through the purchase of assistive or supportive services;
(3) The regional center on a day-program basis;
(4) The regional center for short-term residential services, not to exceed six months, unless expressly authorized for a longer period by the division director;
(5) A residential facility licensed through the department placement program, but not operated by the department;
(6) A [mental retardation facility] habilitation center operated by the department for clients who are developmentally disabled or mentally retarded.
633.120. 1. A regional center may refer a client for admission to a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center only if determined by a comprehensive evaluation that:
(1) The person has a developmental disability;
(2) Protective services are required to guarantee the health, safety or mental well-being of the person;
(3) Placement in a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center is in the best interests of the person; and
(4) All other less restrictive services, including but not limited to family support and supported living, have been explored and found inadequate to prevent placement in a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center.
2. The regional center shall forward its comprehensive evaluation containing the determination under subsection 1 of this section and such other records as are necessary to enable the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center to determine whether to accept or reject the referral.
3. The head of a private [mental retardation facility] habilitation center may, and the head of a department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center shall, admit the person if, as a result of reviewing the evaluation, the head of the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center determines that the client is appropriate for admission as a resident and suitable accommodations are available. If the head of a department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center rejects the referral, the regional center may appeal the rejection to the division director. After consulting with the head of the referring regional center and the head of the department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center, the division director shall determine the appropriate disposition of the client.
4. The person to be admitted, if competent, his or her parent or legal custodian, if [he] the person is a minor, or his or her guardian, as authorized by a court, shall consent to the admission unless otherwise ordered by a court.
5. The head of a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center shall have an individualized habilitation plan for each resident within thirty days of the resident's admission. Such plan shall include a statement regarding the resident's anticipated length of stay in the [facility] habilitation center and the feasibility of least restrictive alternatives.
6. If procedures are initiated under chapter 475, RSMo, for the appointment of a guardian for a resident of a department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center, the referral procedure under this section shall not apply.
633.125. 1. A resident admitted to a [mental retardation facility pursuant to] habilitation center under section 633.120 shall be discharged immediately when the person who applied for his or her admission requests the release orally, in writing or otherwise from the head of the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center; except, that if the head of the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center regards the resident as presenting a likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself or others, the head of the [facility] habilitation center may initiate involuntary detention procedures pursuant to chapter 632, RSMo, if appropriate, or any individual, including the head of the [facility] habilitation center or the mental health coordinator may initiate guardianship proceedings and, if appropriate, obtain an emergency commitment order pursuant to chapter 475, RSMo.
2. A resident shall be discharged from a department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center if it is determined in a comprehensive evaluation or periodic review that the person is not mentally retarded or developmentally disabled, and if the resident, parent, if a minor, or guardian consents to the discharge. If consent is not obtained, the head of the [facility] habilitation center shall initiate appeal proceedings under section 633.135, before a resident can be discharged.
3. A resident shall either be discharged from a department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center or shall be referred to a regional center for placement in a least restrictive environment pursuant to section 630.610, RSMo, if it is determined in a comprehensive evaluation or periodic review that the following criteria exist:
(1) The resident's condition is not of such a nature that for the protection or adequate care of the resident or others the resident needs department residential habilitation or other services;
(2) The [mental retardation facility] habilitation center does not offer a program which best meets the resident's needs; or
(3) The [mental retardation facility] habilitation center does not provide the least restrictive environment feasible. A resident may not be discharged without his or her consent or the consent of his or her parent, if [he] the resident is a minor, or guardian unless proceedings have been completed under section 633.135.
4. After a resident's discharge pursuant to subsection 3 of this section, the resident shall be referred to an appropriate regional center for assistance in obtaining any necessary services.
633.130. 1. At least once every one hundred eighty days, the head of each [mental retardation facility] habilitation center shall cause the condition and status of each resident to be reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of determining whether the resident needs further residential habilitation, placement in the least restrictive environment or discharge.
2. The head of the [facility] habilitation center shall initiate proceedings to discharge any resident whose continued residential habilitation is no longer appropriate; except, that the head of the [facility] habilitation center may refer the resident to the appropriate regional center for placement pursuant to section 630.610, RSMo.
3. A copy of the evaluation and individualized habilitation plan shall be sent to any court having jurisdiction over the resident.
633.135. 1. If a resident, or his or her parent if [he] the resident is a minor, or his or her legal guardian refuses to consent to the proposed placement or to discharge from the [facility] habilitation center, the head of the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center may petition the director of the division to determine whether the proposed placement is appropriate under sections 630.610, 630.615 and 630.620, RSMo, or whether the proposed discharge is appropriate under sections 633.120, 633.125 and 633.130.
2. The division director shall refer the petition to the chairman of the state advisory council who shall appoint and convene a review panel composed of three members. At least one member of the panel shall be a parent or guardian of a resident who resides in a department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center. The remaining members of the panel shall be persons who are from nongovernmental organizations or groups concerned with the prevention of mental retardation, evaluation, care and habilitation of mentally retarded persons and who are familiar with services and service needs of mentally retarded persons in [facilities] habilitation centers operated by the department. No member of the panel shall be an officer or employee of the department.
3. After prompt notice and hearing, the panel shall determine whether the proposed placement is appropriate under sections 630.610, 630.615 and 630.620, RSMo, or whether the proposed discharge is appropriate under sections 633.120, 633.125 and 633.130. The hearing shall be electronically recorded for purposes of obtaining a transcript. The council shall forward the tape recording, recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision to the director who shall enter findings of fact, conclusions of law and the final decision. Notice of the director's decision shall be sent to the resident, or his or her parent if [he] the resident is a minor, or his or her guardian, by registered mail, return receipt requested. The director shall expedite this review in all respects.
4. If the resident, or his or her parent if [he] the resident is a minor, or his or her guardian disagrees with the decision of the director, [he] the resident may appeal the decision, within thirty days after notice of the decision is sent, to the circuit court of the county where the resident, or his or her parent if [he] the resident is a minor, or his or her guardian resides. The court shall review the record, proceedings and decision of the director not only under the provisions of chapter 536, RSMo, but also as to whether or not the head of the [facility] habilitation center sustained his or her burden of proof that the proposed placement is appropriate under sections 630.110, 630.115 and 630.120, RSMo, or the proposed discharge is appropriate under sections 633.120, 633.125 and 633.130. The court shall expedite this review in all respects. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 536.140, RSMo, a court may, for good cause shown, hear and consider additional competent and material evidence.
5. Any resident of a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center who is age eighteen or older and who does not have a legal guardian shall not be discharged unless probate division of the circuit court approval is obtained to confirm that the resident is not in need of the care, treatment or programs now being received in the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center.
6. The notice and procedure for the hearing by the panel shall be in accordance with chapter 536, RSMo.
7. In all proceedings either before the panel or before the circuit court, the burden of proof shall be upon the head of the [facility] habilitation center to demonstrate by preponderance of evidence that the proposed placement is appropriate under the criteria set forth in sections 630.610, 630.615, and 630.120, RSMo, or that the proposed discharge is appropriate under the criteria set forth in sections 633.120, 633.125 and 633.130.
8. Pending a convening of the hearing panel and the final decision of the director or the court, if the director's decision is appealed, the department shall not place or discharge the resident from a [facility] habilitation center except that the department may temporarily transfer such resident in the case of a medical emergency.
9. There shall be no disciplinary action against any state employee who in good faith testifies or otherwise provides information or evidence in regard to a proposed placement or discharge.
633.140. 1. If any resident leaves a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center without authorization, the sheriff of the county where the resident is found shall apprehend and return [him] the resident to the center if requested to do so by the head of the [facility] habilitation center.
2. The head of the [facility] habilitation center may request the return of an absent resident pursuant to subsection 1 of this section only when one of the following circumstances exists:
(1) The resident is a minor whose admission was applied for by his or her parent or legal custodian, and such parent or guardian has not requested the resident's release;
(2) The resident is a minor under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court;
(3) The resident has been declared legally incapacitated and his or her guardian has not requested his or her release; or
(4) The resident's condition is of such a nature that, for the protection of the resident or others, the head of the [facility] habilitation center determines that the resident's return to the [facility] habilitation center is necessary. Such determination shall be noted in the resident's records.
633.145. 1. The department may transfer a resident from one department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center to another if the division director determines that such transfer is desirable to provide the resident improved habilitation or other services, to better [insure his] ensure the resident's safety and welfare, or to locate [him] the resident in closer proximity to his or her family and friends.
2. Transfers may only be made to a private [mental retardation facility pursuant to] habilitation center under section 630.610, RSMo.
3. Determinations by the division director pursuant to this section shall be written and noted in the resident's records. The division director shall notify the resident, his or her guardian or next of kin of such determination. The department shall not transfer any resident unless it receives the consent of the resident, his or her guardian or his or her parent, if the resident is a minor.
633.150. The head of a [mental retardation facility] habilitation center may transfer a resident to a [mental health facility] habilitation center only under the provisions of chapter 632, RSMo. The director shall order that such resident be returned to the [mental retardation facility] habilitation center when the resident is no longer in need of psychiatric care and treatment.
633.160. If a person presents himself or herself, or is presented, to a regional center or department [mental retardation facility] habilitation center and is determined to be mentally retarded or developmentally disabled and, as a result, presents an imminent likelihood of serious harm to himself or herself or others as defined in chapter 632, RSMo, the regional center or [mental retardation facility] habilitation center may accept the person for detention for evaluation and treatment for a period not to exceed ninety-six hours under the same procedures contained in chapter 632, RSMo. The head of the regional center or [mental retardation facility] habilitation center may initiate guardianship proceedings to have the person detained beyond the ninety-six hours under chapter 475, RSMo, or may refer the person to a mental health facility, if the person is mentally ill, for further detention under the procedures in chapter 632, RSMo.
633.180. 1. A family with an annual income of sixty thousand dollars or less which has a child with a developmental disability residing in the family home shall be eligible to apply for a cash stipend from the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities in an amount to be determined by the regional advisory council. Such cash stipend amount shall not exceed the maximum monthly federal Supplemental Security Income payment for an individual with a developmental disability who resides alone. Such stipend shall be paid on a monthly basis and shall be considered a benefit and not income to the family. The stipend shall be used to purchase goods and services for the benefit of the family member with a developmental disability. Such goods and services may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Respite care;
(2) Personal and attendant care;
(3) Architectural and vehicular modifications;
(4) Health- and mental health-related costs not otherwise covered;
(5) Equipment and supplies;
(6) Specialized nutrition and clothing;
(7) Homemaker services;
(8) Transportation;
(9) Integrated community activities;
(10) Training and technical assistance; and
(11) Individual, family and group counseling.
2. Application for such stipend shall be made to the appropriate regional center. The regional center shall determine the eligibility of the individual to receive services from the division and the division shall forward the application to the regional advisory council to determine the amount of the stipend which may be approved by the council.
3. The family support program shall be funded by moneys appropriated by the general assembly; however, the family support program shall not supplant other programs funded through the division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities.
633.185. 1. The division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities, subject to appropriation by the general assembly, is authorized to implement and administer, as part of the family support program, a family support loan program, which shall provide a family with an annual income of sixty thousand dollars or less which has an individual with a developmental disability residing in the home, with low-interest, short-term loans to purchase goods and services for the family member with a developmental disability.
2. Interest rates on loans made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be no more than one percent above the prime interest rate as determined by the federal reserve system on the date the loan is approved. Loans may be for a maximum period of sixty months and the outstanding loan amount to any family may be no more than ten thousand dollars.
3. Applications for loans shall be made to the appropriate regional center. The regional center shall determine the eligibility of the individual to receive services from the division and the division shall forward the application to the regional advisory council to determine the amount of the loan which may be approved by the council.
4. There is hereby created in the state treasury for use by the department of mental health a fund to be known as the "Family Support Loan Program Fund". Moneys deposited in the fund shall be appropriated to the director of the department of mental health to be used for loans pursuant to this section. The fund shall consist of moneys appropriated by the general assembly for starting the fund and money otherwise deposited according to law. Any unexpended balance in the fund at the end of any biennium, not to exceed twice the annual loans made pursuant to this act in the previous fiscal year, is exempt from the provisions of section 33.080, RSMo, relating to the transfer of unexpended balances to the ordinary revenue fund.
633.190. 1. The division of [mental retardation and] developmental disabilities, in cooperation with the Missouri planning council for developmental disabilities, shall adopt policies and procedures and, when necessary, shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding:
(1) Program guidelines and specifications;
(2) Additional duties of the regional advisory councils;
(3) Annual evaluation of services provided by each regional center, including an assessment of consumer satisfaction;
(4) Coordination of the family support program and the use of its funds throughout the state and within each region, with other publicly funded programs, including Medicaid;
(5) Methodology for allocating resources to families with the funds available;
(6) Resolution of grievances filed by families pertaining to actions of the family support program;
(7) Methodology for outreach and education.
2. No rule or portion of a rule promulgated under the authority of this chapter shall become effective unless it has been promulgated pursuant to the provisions of [section 536.024] chapter 536, RSMo.
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