Today's Law As Amended


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SB-842 Health care: assistive technology: reuse and redistribution.(2021-2022)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 19099) is added to Part 1 of Division 10 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:

CHAPTER  4. Reuse and Redistribution of Durable Medical Equipment and Other Home Health Supplies Pilot Program
19099.
 Upon appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, the Department of Rehabilitation shall establish a comprehensive three-year device reutilization pilot program in the Counties of Contra Costa, Napa, Solano, and Yolo to facilitate the reuse and redistribution of assistive technology, including durable medical equipment. The department shall contract with one or more nonprofit agencies to oversee the program. A contracting nonprofit agency shall use a computerized system to track the inventory of equipment and supplies available for reuse and redistribution and organize pickup and delivery of equipment and supplies.
19099.1.
 For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
(a) “Assistive technology” means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
(b) “Device reutilization pilot program” means a program that provides for the exchange, repair, recycling, or other reutilization of assistive technology devices, which may include redistribution through device sales, loans, rentals, or donations.
(c) ”Durable medical equipment” means equipment prescribed by a licensed practitioner to meet medical equipment needs of a patient that can withstand repeated use, is used to serve a medical purpose, is not useful to an individual in the absence of an illness, injury, functional impairment, or congenital anomaly, and is appropriate for use in or out of the patient’s home.
19099.2.
 On or before January 1, 2027, the department shall submit a report to the appropriate Senate and Assembly policy committees of the Legislature that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Evaluation of the success of the pilot program and challenges in implementation.
(b) Data on the types of assistive technology most utilized, including durable medical equipment.
(c) Data on the types of assistive technology, including durable medical equipment that were unable to be reused or redistributed, or were otherwise not appropriate for a reuse and distribution program.
(d) Data on the use of funds allocated under the contracts entered into by the department pursuant to Section 19099, including, but not limited to, costs for a computerized tracking system, real estate costs to house and store the assistive technology, cleaning, refurbishing, and repair costs prior to redistribution of the assistive technology, liability and insurance costs, transportation and related costs for equipment pickup and delivery, and staffing costs.
(e) The number of individuals who participated in the pilot program.
19099.3.
 This chapter shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2030, and as of that date is repealed.