(A) The department of aging shall enter into an interagency agreement with the department of medicaid under section 5162.35 of the Revised Code under which the department of aging is required to establish for each biennium a unified long-term care budget for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers. The interagency agreement shall require the department of aging to do all of the following:

(1) Administer the unified long-term care budget in accordance with sections 173.43 to 173.434 of the Revised Code and the general assembly's appropriations for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers for the applicable biennium;

(2) Contract with each PASSPORT administrative agency for assistance in the administration of the unified long-term care budget;

(3) Provide individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers a choice of services that meet the individuals' needs and improve their quality of life;

(4) Provide a continuum of services that meet the life-long needs of individuals who are eligible for home and community-based services covered by medicaid components the department of aging administers.

(B) The director of budget and management shall create new appropriation items as necessary for establishment of the unified long-term care budget.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Added by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.