29 USC 796 - Purpose

§ 796. Purpose
§ 796-1. Administration of the independent living program
§ 796a. Definitions
§ 796b. Eligibility for receipt of services
§ 796c. State plan
§ 796d. Statewide Independent Living Council
§ 796d-1. Responsibilities of the Administrator

§ 796. Purpose

The purpose of this part is to promote a philosophy of independent living, including a philosophy of consumer control, peer support, self-help, self-determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society, by—

(1) providing financial assistance to States for providing, expanding, and improving the provision of independent living services;

(2) providing financial assistance to develop and support statewide networks of centers for independent living; and

(3) providing financial assistance to States for improving working relationships among State independent living rehabilitation service programs, centers for independent living, Statewide Independent Living Councils established under section 796d of this title, State vocational rehabilitation programs receiving assistance under subchapter I, State programs of supported employment services receiving assistance under subchapter VI, client assistance programs receiving assistance under section 732 of this title, programs funded under other subchapters of this chapter, programs funded under other Federal law, and programs funded through non-Federal sources, with the goal of improving the independence of individuals with disabilities.

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 701, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1217; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 471, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1685.)

§ 796–1. Administration of the independent living program

There is established within the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services, an Independent Living Administration. The Independent Living Administration shall be headed by a Director (referred to in this section as the “Director”) appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Director shall be an individual with substantial knowledge of independent living services. The Independent Living Administration shall be the principal agency, and the Director shall be the principal officer, to carry out this part. In performing the functions of the office, the Director shall be directly responsible to the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living of the Department of Health and Human Services. The Secretary shall ensure that the Independent Living Administration has sufficient resources (including designating at least 1 individual from the Office of General Counsel who is knowledgeable about independent living services) to provide technical assistance and support to, and oversight of, the programs funded under this part.

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 701A, as added Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 472, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1685.)

§ 796a. Definitions

As used in this part:

(1) Administrator

(2) Center for independent living

The term “center for independent living” means a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, nonresidential private nonprofit agency for individuals with significant disabilities (regardless of age or income) that—

(A) is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities; and

(B) provides an array of independent living services, including, at a minimum, independent living core services as defined in section 705(17) of this title.

(3) Consumer control

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 702, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1218; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 473, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1685.)

§ 796b. Eligibility for receipt of services

Services may be provided under this part to any individual with a significant disability, as defined in section 705(21)(B) of this title.

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 703, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1218.)

§ 796c. State plan

(a) In general

(1) Requirement

(2) Joint developmentThe plan under paragraph (1) shall be jointly—

(A) developed by the chairperson of the Statewide Independent Living Council, and the directors of the centers for independent living in the State, after receiving public input from individuals with disabilities and other stakeholders throughout the State; and

(B) signed by—

(i) the chairperson of the Statewide Independent Living Council, acting on behalf of and at the direction of the Council;

(ii) the director of the designated State entity described in subsection (c); and

(iii) not less than 51 percent of the directors of the centers for independent living in the State.

(3) Periodic review and revisionThe plan shall provide for the review and revision of the plan, not less than once every 3 years, to ensure the existence of appropriate planning, financial support and coordination, and other assistance to appropriately address, on a statewide and comprehensive basis, needs in the State for—

(A) the provision of independent living services in the State;

(B) the development and support of a statewide network of centers for independent living; and

(i) centers for independent living; and

(ii)(I) entities carrying out programs that provide independent living services, including those serving older individuals;(II) other community-based organizations that provide or coordinate the provision of housing, transportation, employment, information and referral assistance, services, and supports for individuals with significant disabilities; and(III) entities carrying out other programs providing services for individuals with disabilities.

(4) Date of submission

(5) Statewideness

(b) Statewide Independent Living Council

(c) Designation of State entityThe plan shall designate a State entity of such State (referred to in this subchapter as the “designated State entity”) as the agency that, on behalf of the State, shall—

(1) receive, account for, and disburse funds received by the State under this part based on the plan;

(2) provide administrative support services for a program under subpart 2, and a program under subpart 3 in a case in which the program is administered by the State under section 796f–2 of this title;

(3) keep such records and afford such access to such records as the Administrator finds to be necessary with respect to the programs;

(4) submit such additional information or provide such assurances as the Administrator may require with respect to the programs; and

(5) retain not more than 5 percent of the funds received by the State for any fiscal year under subpart 2, for the performance of the services outlined in paragraphs (1) through (4).

(d) ObjectivesThe plan shall—

(1) specify the objectives to be achieved under the plan and establish timelines for the achievement of the objectives; and

(2) explain how such objectives are consistent with and further the purpose of this part.

(e) Independent living services

(f) Scope and arrangements

(g) Network

(h) Centers

(i) Cooperation, coordination, and working relationships among various entitiesThe plan shall set forth the steps that will be taken to maximize the cooperation, coordination, and working relationships among—

(1) the Statewide Independent Living Council;

(2) centers for independent living;

(3) the designated State entity; and

(4) other State agencies or entities represented on the Council, other councils that address the needs and issues of specific disability populations, and other public and private entities determined to be appropriate by the Council.

(j) Coordination of services

(k) Coordination between Federal and State sources

(l) Outreach

(m) RequirementsThe plan shall provide satisfactory assurances that all recipients of financial assistance under this part will—

(1) notify all individuals seeking or receiving services under this part about the availability of the client assistance program under section 732 of this title, the purposes of the services provided under such program, and how to contact such program;

(2) take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities on the same terms and conditions required with respect to the employment of such individuals under the provisions of section 793 of this title;

(3) adopt such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to ensure the proper disbursement of and accounting for funds paid to the State under this part;

(4)

(A) maintain records that fully disclose—

(i) the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such financial assistance;

(ii) the total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which such financial assistance is given or used; and

(iii) the amount of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources;

(B) maintain such other records as the Administrator determines to be appropriate to facilitate an effective audit;

(C) afford such access to records maintained under subparagraphs (A) and (B) as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; and

(D) submit such reports with respect to such records as the Administrator determines to be appropriate;

(5) provide access to the Administrator and the Comptroller General or any of their duly authorized representatives, for the purpose of conducting audits and examinations, of any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipients that are pertinent to the financial assistance received under this part; and

(6) provide for public hearings regarding the contents of the plan during both the formulation and review of the plan.

(n) Evaluation

(o) Promoting full access to community life

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 704, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1218; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 474, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1686.)

§ 796d. Statewide Independent Living Council

(a) Establishment

(b) Composition and appointment

(1) Appointment

(2) CompositionThe Council shall include—

(A) among its voting members, at least 1 director of a center for independent living chosen by the directors of centers for independent living within the State;

(B) among its voting members, for a State in which 1 or more centers for independent living are run by, or in conjunction with, the governing bodies of American Indian tribes located on Federal or State reservations, at least 1 representative of the directors of such centers; and

(C) as ex officio, nonvoting members, a representative of the designated State entity, and representatives from State agencies that provide services for individuals with disabilities.

(3) Additional membersThe Council may include—

(A) other representatives from centers for independent living;

(B) individuals with disabilities;

(D) advocates of and for individuals with disabilities;

(E) representatives from private businesses;

(F) representatives from organizations that provide services for individuals with disabilities; and

(G) other appropriate individuals.

(4) Qualifications

(A) In generalThe Council shall be composed of members—

(i) who provide statewide representation;

(ii) who represent a broad range of individuals with disabilities from diverse backgrounds;

(iii) who are knowledgeable about centers for independent living and independent living services; and

(iv) a majority of whom are persons who are—(I) individuals with disabilities described in section 705(20)(B) of this title; and(II) not employed by any State agency or center for independent living.

(B) Voting membersA majority of the voting members of the Council shall be—

(i) individuals with disabilities described in section 705(20)(B) of this title; and

(ii) not employed by any State agency or center for independent living.

(5) Chairperson

(A) In general

(B) Designation by chief executive officer

(6) Terms of appointment

(A) Length of termEach member of the Council shall serve for a term of 3 years, except that—

(i) a member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which a predecessor was appointed, shall be appointed for the remainder of such term; and

(ii) the terms of service of the members initially appointed shall be (as specified by the appointing authority described in paragraph (3)) for such fewer number of years as will provide for the expiration of terms on a staggered basis.

(B) Number of terms

(7) Vacancies

(A) In general

(B) Delegation

(1) DutiesThe Council shall—

(A) develop the State plan as provided in section 796c(a)(2) of this title;

(B) monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation of the State plan;

(C) meet regularly, and ensure that such meetings of the Council are open to the public and sufficient advance notice of such meetings is provided;

(D) submit to the Administrator such periodic reports as the Administrator may reasonably request, and keep such records, and afford such access to such records, as the Administrator finds necessary to verify the information in such reports; and

(E) as appropriate, coordinate activities with other entities in the State that provide services similar to or complementary to independent living services, such as entities that facilitate the provision of or provide long-term community-based services and supports.

(2) AuthoritiesThe Council may, consistent with the State plan described in section 796c of this title, unless prohibited by State law—

(A) in order to improve services provided to individuals with disabilities, work with centers for independent living to coordinate services with public and private entities;

(B) conduct resource development activities to support the activities described in this subsection or to support the provision of independent living services by centers for independent living; and

(C) perform such other functions, consistent with the purpose of this part and comparable to other functions described in this subsection, as the Council determines to be appropriate.

(3) Limitation

(d) Hearings and forums

(e) Plan

(1) In general

(2) Supervision and evaluation

(3) Conflict of interest

(f) Compensation and expenses

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 705, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1220; amended Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(f) [title VIII, § 402(c)(7)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–337, 2681–416; Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 475, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1687.)

§ 796d–1. Responsibilities of the Administrator

(a) Approval of State plans

(1) In general

(2) Procedures

(A) In general

(B) ApplicationFor purposes of the application described in subparagraph (A), all references in such provisions—

(i) to the Secretary or the Commissioner shall be deemed to be references to the Administrator;

(ii) to the State agency shall be deemed to be references to the designated State entity; and

(iii) to section 721 of this title shall be deemed to be references to section 796c of this title.

(b) Indicators

(1) Reviews

(2) Qualifications of employees conducting reviewsThe Administrator shall—

(A) to the maximum extent practicable, carry out a review described in paragraph (1) by using employees of the Department of Health and Human Services who are knowledgeable about the provision of independent living services;

(B) ensure that the employee of the Department of Health and Human Services with responsibility for supervising such a review shall have such knowledge; and

(i) is not a government employee; and

(ii) has experience in the operation of centers for independent living.

(d) Reports

(1) In general

(2) Public availability

(Pub. L. 93–112, title VII, § 706, as added Pub. L. 105–220, title IV, § 410, Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1223; amended Pub. L. 113–128, title IV, § 475A, July 22, 2014, 128 Stat. 1689.)