CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF AREA AGENCIES ON AGING LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Kate McEvoy/Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut February 11, 2007

Items of Interest/Concern to Older Adults Associated with Senate Bill 1128, An Act Implementing the Governor’s Budget Recommendations with Respect to Social Services Programs:

Section 3 proposes to eliminate the provision in law (enacted by Public Act 05-243) that provided for increasing the State Supplement

unearned income disregard annually by the amount of the Supplemental Security Income cost-of-living increase

Section 4 proposes to permit DSS to use a more restrictive definition of the term “medical necessity”

Section 5 proposes to amend the statutory language enacted in 2006 that provides non-formulary drug coverage to participants of the ConnPACE

program and those who are full-benefit dual-eligibles by 1) providing that where DSS, in consultation with the prescribing physician, determines that the drug is medically necessary, DSS will cover the original prescription and any prescribed re-fills, less any required co-payments; 2) deleting language that requires DSS to review each request for assistance and to notify the involved beneficiary within two hours of the time that the request is received whether it has been approved; and 3) limiting total expenditures under the Medicare Part D Supplemental Needs Fund to the amount appropriated in 2006 ($5 million)

Section 6 proposes to require certification of unlicensed personnel of residential care homes who provide medication administration

Section 7 proposes to increase the total number of individuals who may be served by the Money Follows the Person program from 100 to 700

Section 8 proposes to 1) limit the right of Medicaid applicants who are in need of or receiving institutional care from assigning right of support to DSS to situations in which a) the applicant’s assets are less than or equal to the Medicaid asset limit; and b) the applicant cannot locate the community spouse, or the community spouse is unable to provide information about his or her assets; and 2) authorize DSS to seek recovery of monies paid on behalf of the institutionalized spouse up to the amount in excess of the community spouse protected amount held by the community spouse

Section 16 proposes to eliminate State funding for attorney’s fees for appeals of denials or terminations of Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income

Sections 18-37

propose to strengthen DSS’ ability to recover Medicaid funds paid for claims that should have been covered by a third party

Section 38 proposes to prohibit pharmacies from submitting prescription drug claims to DSS unless the involved individuals’ drug coverage has been exhausted, authorizes DSS to recoup payments made on claims where other coverage is available, and permits DSS to investigate pharmacies that consistently submit ineligible claims

To review the text of any bill noted below: 1) open www.cga.ct.gov; 2) type in the bill number next to “Number” at top of screen, then click “GO”.

SUBJECT AREA	ASSOCIATION POSITION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS/STATUS
ConnPACE	full protections for participants of ConnPACE and Medicaid (e.g. effective and adequate coverage of non-formulary drugs, protection of current dosage supplies available for each co-payment, and meaningful “exception” or appeal rights) as the “wrap-around” to Medicare Part D continues to be implemented	See above for summary of Section 5 of Senate Bill 1128. Proposed Bill 5484 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to require that DSS increase the income disregards used to determine eligibility for the Medicaid cost-sharing programs (QMB, SLIMB) such that more individuals will be eligible for low-income subsidies under Medicare Part D. Proposed House Bill 5332 (Ins. and RE Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to require individual and group health insurance policies that provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugs to supply 90 days of a covered, chronic (i.e. a prescription medication other than a controlled drug that is prescribed for more than 12 months) medication for one co-payment. See also: Proposed House Bill 5668 (Insurance and Real Estate).
	Other Rx matters Proposed House Bill 5507 (Public Health) seeks to establish a bulk purchasing program for state agencies and their sub-contractors. See also: Proposed Senate Bill 668 (Public Health).	Proposed Senate Bill 53 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to provide graduated ConnPACE benefits as follows: to provide 75% of program benefit to individuals whose income is greater or equal to $20,800 but less than $23,300 and couples whose income is greater or equal to $28,100 but less than $30,500; and to provide 50% of program benefit to individuals whose income is greater or equal to $23,300 but less than $25,800 and couples whose income is greater or equal to $30,500 but less than $33,500. Proposed House Bill 5632 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to increase ConnPACE income eligibility limits by 20% and to permit buy-in on a sliding scale basis by higher income individuals. See also: Proposed House Bill 5646 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07). Proposed House Bill 5050 (Human Services) seeks to provide coverage for annual physical examinations for participants of the ConnPACE program. Committee Bill 147 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to require DSS to implement consumer protections (e.g. expedited approval process, adequate supply pending resolution of any appeal, limitation on use of prior authorization for individuals who require the same prescription drugs) in the use of preferred drug lists and prior authorization procedures and to evaluate the effectiveness of those procedures.
SUBJECT AREA	ASSOCIATION POSITION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS/STATUS
Home and Community-Based Services	support enhancement of home and community-based care options including: continued funding for the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE) authorization for a Medicaid home and community-based waiver for individuals age 18-64 self-directed care options such as personal care assistants and the Money Follows the Person pilot	Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE): Proposed Senate Bill 7 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to increase the asset limit for the State-funded component of the CHCPE to $50,000 for both individuals and married couples. Proposed House Bill 5663 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/06) and Proposed Senate Bill 384 (Human Services) seek to appropriate additional funds to expand services under the CHCPE. Self-Directed Care Options: Proposed Senate Bill 54 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/06) seeks 1) to require DSS to seek a federal waiver to include PCA as covered service; and 2) to permit spouses to serve as PCA’s in the state-funded PCA Pilot that is part of the CHCPE. Proposed Senate Bill 102 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to remove the cap on participation in the state-funded PCA Pilot that is part of the CHCPE. Proposed Senate Bill 278 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to expand the state-funded PCA Pilot. Proposed Senate Bill 387 (Human Services) seeks to require DSS to utilize the same income eligibility criteria for the Money Follows the Person program as is used for Medicaid long-term care eligibility. Proposed House Bill 5638 (Human Services) seeks to expand participation in the Money Follows the Person program to more than 100 slots. Other Relevant Items: Committee Bill 117 (Human Services) seeks to require DSS to file an amendment to the Medicaid state plan to increase the medically needy income limit (MNIL) for older adults and those with disabilities to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). See also: Proposed House Bill 5640 (increase MNIL such that it is equal to the standard used for adults under Husky Plan A. Proposed House Bill 5643 (Human Services) seeks to reduce the required spend-down for Medicaid eligibility to the extent permitted by State and federal law. Proposed Senate Bills 6 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07) and 247 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seek to promote awareness of Medicaid-funded programs through a centralized call center, improvements to the DSS web site and development of detailed written consumer materials. Proposed Senate Bill 259 (Public Health) seeks to require DPH to track and report on the diversity of the State’s health care workforce, and to require participation in continuing education programs on cultural and linguistic competencies. Proposed House Bills 6025 and 6030 (Higher Education) seek to provide scholarships for nursing education. See also: Proposed Senate Bill 799 (Higher Education Public Hearing 2/15/07).
SUBJECT AREA	ASSOCIATION POSITION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS/STATUS
	support implementation of a program designed to reduce older adults’ risk of falls	Proposed Senate Bill 265 (Public Health) seeks to require DPH to disseminate information on fall prevention. Proposed Senate Bill 657 (Public Health) seeks to promote fall prevention research and demonstration projects.
	support a percentage increase in home care reimbursement rates The Governor’s budget does not propose any rate increases for providers of home and community-based services.	Several bills address this issue globally: Proposed House Bill 5302 and 5658 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) (establish reimbursement rates for home care services that are sufficient to permit providing services in the community), Proposed House Bill 5657 (Human Services) (seeks to provide COLA increases to private providers that contract with the State). Several bills propose to increase rates to adult day care centers: Committee Bill 5301 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) and Committee Bill 572 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) (increase by 20%). Several specifically address home health agencies: Proposed House Bills 5662 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) (seeks to increase nursing and therapy rates by 5%), 5664 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) (seeks to authorize payment for services provided incident to a medication administration visit), and 5699 (Labor and Public Employees) (seeks to increase wages paid to home health aides). A bill addresses homemaker and companion agency rates: Proposed Senate Bill 388 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07). A bill addresses rates paid to residential care homes: Proposed Senate Bill 303 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) (seeks to increase the fair rent allowance, operations rates and minimum base salary of administrators). Please also note: Proposed Senate Bills 4 and 206 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07), which seek to enhance funding to senior centers, and Proposed House Bill 5654, which seeks to make Medicaid reimbursement for ambulance services equal to that paid under Medicare.
Nutrition	support proposals designed to increase funding	Proposed House Bill 6277 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) and Proposed Senate Bill 382 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07) seek to increase funding.
Alzheimer’s Respite	support proposals designed to increase funding	The Governor’s budget (HB7077) seeks to appropriate $1,294,388 in both SFY’08 and ’09. The SFY’07 figure is $1,288,043. See also: Proposed House Bill 5483 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/8/07), which seeks to create a Lifespan Respite Coalition.
CHOICES	state funding of at least $2,000,000 for CHOICES	No applicable bills have been released. See also: Proposed House Bill 6893 (Human Services), which seeks to require DSS to establish a communications plan and outreach program to promote Connecticut long-term care options.

ADDITIONAL AREAS OF INTEREST

SUBJECT AREA	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS
State Structure	various proposals	Proposed Senate Bill 5 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to delineate functions, powers and duties of a Department on Aging. Raised Bill 7007 (Public Health) and Proposed Senate Bill 37 (GAE) seek to re-name DMR the Department of Developmental Disabilities.
SUBJECT AREA	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS
Long-Term Care Planning	various proposals	Proposed Senate Bill 305 (Human Services) seeks to create a task force to study public and private options for funding long-term care.
Assisted Living	various proposals	Proposed House Bill 5001 (Aging Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to increase the number of slots in the assisted living pilots from 75 to 150. Proposed Senate Bill 383 (Human Services) seeks to increase funding for the pilots. Proposed Senate Bill 674 (Public Health) seeks to permit individuals younger than age 55 to utilize assisted living services. Proposed House Bill 5042 (Housing Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to appropriate an unspecified amount of funding to managed residential communities (MRC’s) that provide assisted living services to those eligible for Medicaid or SAGA. Proposed House Bill 5642 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/15/07) seeks to cover long-term placement under Medicaid. Proposed Senate Bill 568 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/15/07) seeks to establish a set-aside percentage of units in each MRC to accommodate Medicaid-funded residents, and to ensure Medicaid payment for such residents. Proposed Senate Bill 257 (Public Health) seeks to appropriate $500,000 to help clients of the Department of Mental Retardation move into MRC’s. Proposed Senate Bill 407 (General Law Public Hearing 2/15/07) seeks to require owners of MRC’s to post bonds, with the intent of protecting deposits made by residents or prospective residents. Proposed Senate Bill 660 (Public Health) seeks to restrict use of the term “assisted living facility” to those entities licensed by DPH.
Medicare	various proposals	Committee Bill 203 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to provide full reimbursement to medical providers that serve individuals who are dually-eligible. Proposed House Bill 5259 (Insurance and Real Estate Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to require providers of Medigap plans to refund any prepaid premium payments made by a senior who chooses to cancel his/her policy prior to expiration of the coverage period. Proposed House Bill 5395 (Insurance and Real Estate Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to prohibit companies that issue Medigap plans from including clauses in their contracts that prohibit producers from moving customer business from one company to another. Proposed House Bill 6280 (Insurance Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to establish treble damages for civil cases involving Medicare fraud by any health insurer, and to prohibit any insurer convicted of Medicare fraud from doing business in the State for a period of ten years. Proposed House Bill 5806 (Appropriations) seeks to exclude all State expenditures for Medicaid and Medicare from the definition of “general budget expenditures” under the State spending cap.
SUBJECT AREA	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS
Other Medicaid	various proposals	Proposed House Bill 5659 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to provide for SAGA medical coverage for veterans. Proposed Senate Bill 130 (Human Services) seeks to require DSS to amend the Medicaid state plan to include podiatry as a covered optional service. Proposed Senate Bill 198 (Human Services) seeks to require DSS to amend the Medicaid state plan to include interpreters as a covered service. Proposed House Bill 5655 (Human Services) seeks to cover services of chiropractors, natureopaths, podiatrists, optometrists, audiologists, speech pathologists and opticians, hospice services, personal care assistance services, screening and treatment of periodontal diseases for pregnant women, and to require DSS to apply for a waiver to establish a demonstration project for home-based telemonitoring by not more than three home health care agencies that contract with DSS. Proposed House Bill 6039 (Human Services) seeks to require DSS to amend the Medicaid state plan to include hospice as a covered service, and to report to the Legislature on utilization of the benefit. Proposed Senate Bill 573 (Human Services) seeks to expand the membership of the Medicaid Managed Care Council to include a representative from the Office of the Healthcare Advocate.
Nursing Homes	adoption of NCCNHR minimum direct care staffing standards	Proposed Senate Bill 120 (Public Health) seeks to increase requirements for direct care staffing levels in nursing homes.
	initiatives designed to protect the rights of nursing facility residents Item of concern: Proposed Senate Bill 675 (Public Health) proposes to bar individuals with psychiatric disabilities from being admitted to a home unless the patient is assessed by a psychiatrist and the facility determines that it is capable of meeting the individual’s needs.	Proposed Senate Bill 81 (Public Health) seeks to authorize DPH to disclose investigative reports concerning care to a member of the complainant’s family. Proposed Senate Bill 91 (Public Health Public Hearing 2/14/07) seeks to allow nursing homes to establish feeding assistance training programs. Proposed House Bill 5639 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/15/07) seeks to require DSS to hold public hearings whenever any action is taken by an owner that indicates an intent to reduce bed capacity or to close a facility. Proposed House Bill 6892 (Human Services) and Senate Bills 373 and 386 (Human Services Public Hearing 2/6/07) seek to establish criteria under which nursing homes may be relocated, either within the same town or within a 15-mile radius of their original locations. Proposed Senate Bills 670 (Public Health) seek to require nursing homes and adult day care facilities to provide air conditioning. See also: Proposed Senate Bill 692.
Elder Abuse	various proposals	No applicable bills have been released.
SUBJECT AREA	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS
Insurance Coverage	proposals designed to expand/improve insurance coverage	Proposed House Bill 5493 (Insurance Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to require that issuers of long-term care policies annually issue to insureds detailed disclosures on the benefits and limitations of policies. Proposed Senate Bill 396 (Insurance Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to require all health insurers in the State to offer long-term care insurance to any person requesting such coverage. Proposed House Bill 6665 (Insurance Public Hearing 2/13/07) and Raised Senate Bill 1103 seek to require issuers of long-term care insurance policies to notify insureds of intent to discontinue new sales of such policies. Proposed House Bill 6282 (Insurance Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks require individual and group health insurance policies to cover 80% of the cost of hearing aids for individuals age 18 and older. See also: Proposed Senate Bill 816 (Insurance Public Hearing 2/6/07), which seeks to require set dollar amounts of coverage for hearing aids. Proposed House Bill 6334 (Public Health) seeks to permit health insurers to offer financial incentives to insureds who successfully participate in chronic disease prevention programs. Proposed House Bill 6972 (Transportation) seeks to lower from 62 to 55 the age of eligibility for auto insurance discounts that are based on completing an accident prevention course. See also the following selected examples of universal health proposals: House Bills 5495 (Insurance), 5543 (Appropriations), 6087 (Public Health), 6281 (Insurance), 6652 (Insurance), 6655 (Insurance), 6661 (Insurance), 6693 (Public Health), 6969 (Public Health) and Senate Bills 1 (Public Health), 2 (Insurance) and 3 (Human Services).
Transportation	various proposals	Proposed Senate Bills 93 (Transportation Public Hearing 1/29/07) and 223 (Transportation) seek to appropriate $2 million to increase funding for the Dial-A-Ride Program. Proposed House Bill 5537 (Transportation Public Hearing 2/16/07) seeks to require invalid coaches to be equipped with assistive devices designed to ensure the safety of those who use wheelchairs. Proposed House Bill 6117 (Transportation Public Hearing 2/9/07) seeks to waive motor vehicle registration fees for individuals age 65 and older. See also: Proposed House Bill 6960 (Aging Public Hearing 2/6/07) seeks to exempt fuel used by providers of elderly and disabled transportation from the petroleum products gross earnings tax.
Entitlements	various proposals	Proposed House Bill 5063 (Labor and Public Employees) seeks to eliminate the Social Security offset for workers’ compensation benefits.
SUBJECT AREA	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS
Energy Assistance	various proposals	Proposed Senate Bill 104 (Energy and Technology) seeks to suspend the imposition of gross earnings tax on utilities for a six-month period starting January 1, 2007.
Consumer Protections	various proposals	Proposed House Bills 5219 (General Law), 5220 (General Law), 6806 (General Law) and Senate Bills 233 (Banks Public Hearing 2/6/07) and 821 (Judiciary) seek to provide protections on the use and storage of social security numbers. Proposed Senate Bill 972 (Judiciary) seeks to extend the statute of limitations applicable to situations of identify theft. Proposed House Bill 1006 (General Law) seeks to require that all prescriptions for medication be typed or transmitted electronically to pharmacies.
Housing	various proposals to expand options and support	Proposed House Bill 5047 (Housing Public Hearing 2/8/07) seeks to require DSS to partner with DECD, DMHAS and CHFA to establish a program of rental assistance and supportive services for non-elderly individuals with disabilities living in public or private housing, and to provide $1 m. in support of such program. Proposed House Bill 5803 (Aging) seeks to increase the appropriation for the DECD elderly rental assistance program. Proposed Senate Bill 583 (Housing Public Hearing 2/13/07) seeks to authorize the State Bond Commission to issue bonds in support of funding congregate housing. See also: Proposed Senate Bill 50 (Housing Public Hearing 2/8/07), which seeks to limit residency in state-funded housing projects to those age 62 and older; Proposed Senate Bill 51 (Housing Public Hearing 2/8/07), which seeks to prohibit smoking in elderly housing, and Proposed House Bills 6644 and 6890 (Housing) which seek to preserve affordability of accessory apartments.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren	proposals designed to make it easier for grandparents raising grandchildren to access state subsidies	Proposed House Bills 5393 (Human Services), 5442 (Children Public Hearing 2/8/07), 5648 (Human Services), and 6032 (Human Services), and Senate Bills 129 (Human Services), 139 (Human Services), 199 (Human Services), 754 (Children Public Hearing 2/8/07), 757 (Children Public Hearing 2/8/07) and 1069 (Children Public Hearing 2/8/07) seek to give relative caregivers who have care and custody of children who are not involved with DCF subsidies equal to those received by caregivers of children in DCF custody. Proposed Senate Bill 138 (Human Services) seeks to exclude child care subsidies paid to relative caregivers from income eligibility determinations for such programs as temporary family assistance and food stamps. Raised House Bill 7037 (Children) seeks to provide guardianship subsidies to half and step- siblings of children who are living with relative caregivers. Proposed House Bill 5570 (Children Public Hearing 2/2/07) seeks to create an affidavit that will permit grandparents and relative caregivers to obtain foster care services for children without terminating parental rights and becoming legal guardians. Raised Senate Bill 1090 (Children) seeks to allow relative caregivers to receive notice of and appear at legal proceedings concerning a child in foster care with whom they live. Proposed House Bill 5575 (Children Public Hearing 2/2/07) seeks to provide $2 million in funding for the Kinship Navigator Program. Proposed House Bill 5841 (Education) seeks to increase State funding of the free and reduced lunch program to provide free lunches to children who are in the custody of grandparents or foster grandparents. Proposed Senate Bill 576 (Housing Public Hearing 2/8/07) seeks to permit grandchildren of residents age 55 and older to live with them in elderly housing.
SUBJECT AREA	DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION	MAJOR RAISED BILLS
Probate	various proposals	Proposed House Bill 6817 (Judiciary) seeks to require that the Probate Court Administrator be nominated by the Governor and approved by both houses of the Legislature. Proposed House Bill 6821 (Judiciary) seeks to implement the LPRI Committee’s recommendations concerning the Probate Court system. These include such measures as 1) examination of the enforcement authority of the Administrator with respect to conduct of judges; 2) further study of opportunities for consolidation; 3) standards for and testing of judges; and 4) regulations concerning court operations (hours, staffing, workload). Proposed House Bill 6827 (Judiciary) seeks to provide health insurance for judges and employees under the State plan. Committee Bill 6828 (Judiciary Public Hearing 2/16/07) seeks to require, where all parties agree that it will be the official record, Probate Courts to electronically record hearings at the expense of the party requesting the hearing. Proposed House Bill 6903 (Judiciary) seeks to require Probate Courts to appoint a guardian ad litem for any individual with a disability. Raised Senate Bill 7067 (Judiciary Public Hearing 2/16/07) seeks to clarify appointment and powers of conservators and special limited conservators with respect to psychiatric treatment. Proposed Senate Bill 896 (Judiciary) seeks to increase from $20,000 to $40,000 the property value cap on filing an affidavit in lieu of admission of a will to probate. Proposed House Bill 5417 (Public Health) seeks to create a central advance directives registry.
Taxes unless otherwise noted, all of the listed bills are in the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee	various proposals Many of the listed tax bills are on the agendas of the following public hearings: Select Committee on Aging 2/6/07 Select Committee on Veterans’ Affairs 2/6/07	Income Tax Many bills seek to exempt all or part of pension and Social Security income from the state income tax either on an immediate or a phased-in basis: Proposed House Bills 5029, 5100, 5131, 5135, 5370, 5241 (< $50K for individual, $100K for a couple), 5246 (phase-out over a three-year period with annual reductions of 50%, 25% and then 25%), 5476, 5477, 5540, 5541, 5617, 5945, 5955, 5962, 6965 and Proposed Senate Bills 182 and 368 Several bills seek to exempt veterans’ pensions from the state income tax: Proposed House Bills 5201, 5203, and 5277. Several bills proposed new income tax credits: Proposed House Hill 5027 ($500 for persons age 70 and older), Proposed House Bill 5097 (for those who care for a person with Alzheimer’s disease at home), and Proposed House Bill 6789 ($250 to anyone who purchases a long-term care insurance policy. Other bills propose new income tax deductions: Proposed House Bill 6480 (Aging) (for long-term care expenses), and Senate Bills 103 (for expenses relating to care of an older adult in the home of an immediate relative), 190 (up to $10,000 for costs, e.g. travel, lodging and lost wages, associated with donation of an organ while an individual is living) and 752 (Aging) (for premiums paid out on a long-term care insurance policy – see also Proposed House Bill 6657). Sales Tax Proposed House Bill 5343 seeks to exempt certain low-income (annual income limits: $15,000 for an individual and $30,000 for a married couple; asset limits for homeowners: $10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for a married couple; asset limits for renters: $7,000 for an individual and $14,000 for a married couple) individuals age 65 and older from sales tax. Proposed Senate Bill 108 seeks to exempt from sales tax equipment and devices intended to assist those with visual impairments.

Taxes (continued)

Provider Taxes Proposed House Bill 5509 (Public Health) seeks to establish a Medicaid hospital provider tax.

Property Tax Many bills deal with property tax benefits for older adults: Proposed House Bills 5002 (Aging – freeze of tax liability for those age 65 and older and compensation to municipalities for lost revenue), 5025, 5099 (Aging – additional $500 credit to persons age 80 and older with family incomes of less than $25,000 per year), 5262 (Planning and Development – credits to persons age 70 and older who volunteer with municipal programs), 5322 (Aging), 5342 (Aging – expand eligibility for and access to the elderly tax freeze program), 5435 (Aging - increase income eligibility requirements to $45,000 for couples and $33,000 for individuals), 5436 (Aging – increase income eligibility by 90%), 5437 (Aging), 5542 (Aging – reduce eligibility age from 70 to 65), 5614, 5645 (Human Services – increase income eligibility limits to $75,000 for couples and $50,000 for individuals), 5712 (Planning & Devt. – create a program through which older adults can receive tax abatements for volunteering), 5727 (Planning & Devt.), 5800 (Aging – permit deferral and satisfaction of taxes owed upon death), 5801 (Aging – increase income eligibility to $40,000 for couples and $32,000 for individuals), 5802, 5804 (eligibility criteria for tax freeze), 6271 (Housing – to clarify the lien requirement), 6479, 6481, 6684, 6873 and Proposed Senate Bills 8 (Aging), 406 (Planning & Devt. – require municipalities to advise residents, at the time that tax bills are released, of programs for property tax assistance), 453 (Aging – permit towns to offer abatements based on long-time residency or volunteer service), 454, 613 (Planning & Devt. – require towns that provide property tax relief to those age 65 and older to also offer it to younger individuals with disabilities) 751 (Aging – to permit abatements based on volunteer service), 905, and 932. Others deal with property tax benefits for veterans: Proposed House Bills 5096, 5200, 5202, 5278, 5279, 5319, 5794, 5795, 5796, 6104, 6837, 6945 and Proposed Senate Bills 747 and 976 (all Veterans’ Affairs). Gift/Estate Tax Proposed House Bills 5244, 5478, 5941, 5968, 6792, 6961 and Senate Bill 1115 seek to phase-out or repeal the unified gift/estate tax. Proposed House Bill 5474 seeks to exempt children from the estate tax. Certain bills seek to exempt certain items from the tax: Proposed House Bills 5480, 5942, 5956 and 6964 (exclude all or part of value of decedent’s principal residence), 512 and 5240 (exclude life insurance benefits), 5238 (exclude assets equal to those protected under a Partnership long-term care insurance policy) and Proposed House Bill 6232 and Proposed Senate Bill 791 (exclude family-owned farms). Others seek to increase the threshold and/or adjust the rates: Proposed House Bills 5130 (exempt $3 million and adjust the rates to eliminate the initial steep increase in taxes owed), 5215 (adjust the rates at $2 million), 5239, 5242 (exempt $5 million, adjust the rates at $2 million and exempt primary residence or working farm up to value of $5 million), 5473 (impose tax only on assets over $2 million), 5475 (exempt $4 million and adjust annually in accordance with inflation index), 5954, 5961 (exempt $3.5 million), 5964 (exempt $4 million and eliminate tax due on amount below exemption), 5970, 6962, 6963 and Proposed Senate Bills 243 (repeal “cliff effect”), and 369 (exempt $5 million and adjust rates).