(a) The commission on aging and disability shall develop a pilot project proposal in accordance with this section. The long-term care services planning council shall be responsible for evaluating the implementation of the project. If funded in the general appropriations act, the pilot project shall be implemented and shall continue for three (3) years. The commission shall annually report on the pilot project to the council, the health and welfare committee of the senate and the health committee of the house of representatives. At the end of the project the commission shall report on the project to the council and to the standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives. The council shall also make reports of any evaluations that it might undertake of the project to the standing committees of the senate and the house of representatives.

(b) The commission on aging and disability shall develop a pilot project in a county or counties of one (1) of the area agencies on aging and disability (AAAD) and shall enter into a contract with the selected AAAD in order to implement the project. The project shall utilize the services of an aging and disability resource center located in the AAAD. Subject to any approvals required from the commission by the contract, a working group from the selected AAAD shall design the project and determine whether to use a program manager in the project. In selecting the AAAD, the commission shall consider any administrative and oversight efficiencies that locating the project in any particular AAAD might afford the project.

(c) The project shall offer families with a member with a disability who requires long-term supports and services and individuals with a disability who require long-term supports and services opportunities to direct their own services. The families and individuals shall exercise choice, control and responsibility for their services within a cost neutral framework.

(d) The project may involve the following:

(1) Personal control and choice;

(2) Encouragement of cost-effective decision-making in the purchase of supports and services;

(3) Allowing eligible families and individuals to receive a cash allowance or an individual budget to obtain personal assistant services and related supports; and

(4) Providing fiscal agent and supportive broker services to sustain individuals and families in directing their own services.