DHS-DD SRVCS-RURAL PROVIDER

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules governing rural provider compensation. Provides that such rules shall increase the rate of compensation for rural providers that account for significant challenges or barriers related to transportation, including, but not limited to, travel time of over one hour each way or 35 or more miles, and last minute appointment cancellations. Provides that the rate of reimbursement shall be increased and compensate rural providers for: (i) extended travel time and mileage and (ii) staff or resources required to provide developmental disabilities services to individuals in rural areas. Requires the Department to create a grant program to incentivize and support the use of assistive technologies and innovative services to increase access to developmental disabilities services provided by rural providers.