AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE COUNCIL FOR SERVICES FOR AGING AND ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.

New safeguards for aging and disability council

The law updates Delaware’s Council for Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. The Council advises the state division’s director on coordinating, evaluating, and improving services. The Governor, department secretary, or director can refer matters to it. The Governor appoints at least 15 members for terms of up to 3 years. No more than 7 terms can expire in one year. More than half of members must be age 60 or older, including minority individuals. Members must represent older adults, their caregivers, health care providers, supportive-service providers, local elected officials, and the public. Membership also includes people with private and voluntary-sector leadership experience and, where appropriate, veterans’ health care representatives. Two members must come from public or nonprofit agencies serving alleged victims under state law. An adult with a physical disability or that adult’s caregiver must serve. Family caregivers must be represented, including older relative caregivers. Tribal, Pueblo, and Tribal aging program representatives are included as available. Service-provider representatives can serve only without personal or financial conflicts under applicable law and without receiving division funding. The division must adopt, change, or repeal regulations to address conflicts and meet federal requirements. Members receive no pay, but reasonable and necessary expenses are reimbursed. The elected chair serves 2 years, alternating between aging-community and physical-disability representatives. A chair can serve up to two nonconsecutive terms. Replacement members finish the remaining term. The chair can remove members after more than three consecutive unexcused absences. A majority of all members forms a quorum; policy and budget decisions require a majority of those present. Subcommittee appointments require all members’ approval, and the division provides staff support. These rules do not directly change household benefits, costs, or eligibility.