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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Lovejoy

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

02/20/07

HB

SHORT TITLE Native American Independent Living Assistance

SB 1140

ANALYST Geisler

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$250.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates: HB 214

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 1140 appropriates $250,000 to the Aging and Long-Term Services Department to

enhance independent living services for Native Americans who are disabled or elderly. The

enhancements are to be provided by removing architectural barriers in homes and by purchasing

adaptive equipment. Any unexpended balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2008 shall

revert to the general fund.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

ALTSD notes that the appropriation contained for this program is not in the executive budget

request.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

ALTSD provides that home modifications and assistive technology empower a person with a

disability or elder to accomplish daily tasks independently or with less effort. The result is often

Senate Bill 1140 -- Page

2

an increase in self esteem, available energy, and general well-being. This in turn enhances the

individual’s ability to benefit from other independent living services and to participate fully in

family, community, and work life.

Using the appropriate adaptive equipment, such as a mobility device, can also stabilize or

improve the health of a person with a disability, decreasing the need for medical care or helping

to avoid nursing home placement.

Discussions at community meetings held by Independent Living Resource in the Pueblos over

the last year have revealed that many Native people with disabilities and elders are currently

living in houses that are not accessible and that there is an overwhelming need for home

modifications in existing homes. Architectural barriers limit the ability of individuals to do basic

tasks at home and to get out and be involved in activities away from the house. Examples of

needed modifications include entrance ramps, wider doorways, grab bars, modifications to the

bathroom and clearance under the sink. Information about assistive technology is not readily

available to the community at large and many Native people with disabilities and elders struggle

to live independently without the benefit of assistive and adaptive equipment that could improve

their quality of life.

Home modifications that might be funded include such items as: interior and exterior ramps,

landing platforms at top and bottom of ramps, widening doors, grab bars for bathrooms, tub and

shower modifications, accessible toilets, lever door handles and accessible cabinets.

Assistive devices that might be funded include such items as: screen readers for computers,

automatic door openers, lifts/ramps for vans, hand controls for driving, wheelchair carriers for

autos, shower benches, ceiling track lights, voice-activated computer software and home

environmental controls

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

ALTSD notes that they could operate the program in a fashion similar to the GAP program.

Under that program, ALTSD issues vouchers for home modifications to individuals on the D&E

registry. The department would consider partnering, through a contractual arrangement, with

independent living resource centers to implement this initiative. The implementation of this

program can be accomplished with a minimal administrative impact on the Department.

DUPLICATION

Senate Bill 1140 is duplicated by HB 214.

GG/csd