To amend chapter 208, RSMo, by adding thereto five new sections relating to the elders volunteer for elders project.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Chapter 208, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto five new sections, to be known as sections 208.309, 208.311, 208.313, 208.315 and 208.317, to read as follows:

Section 208.309. 1. Sections 208.309 to 208.317 shall be known as the "Elders Volunteer for Elders Project (EVE) Act". The department of social services, division of aging, subject to appropriation, will establish a three year pilot project designed to prevent the premature or unnecessary institutionalization of Missouri's elderly citizens in a city not within a county and a city with a population of more than three hundred fifty thousand inhabitants which is located in more than one county.

2. As used in sections 208.309 to 208.317, the following terms mean:

(1) "Division", division of aging of the department of social services;

(2) "Elderly person", a Missouri citizen who is sixty years of age or older;

(3) "Project", a demonstration project directed at Missouri's low income elderly who are at risk of involuntary and unnecessary institutionalization;

(4) "Recipient", any low income person who is in need of assistance with at least one of the activities of daily life. Highest priority will be given to those at risk of incapacity adjudication.

208.311. The purpose of the EVE projects will be:

(1) To help low income elderly at risk of incapacity adjudication to avoid premature loss of independence and commitment to nursing homes;

(2) If institutionalization of low income elderly is unavoidable, to help those who can be restored sufficiently to return home, to do so;

(3) To help low income elderly, adjudicated or not, who live within a project's geographical location to obtain access to services to improve their quality of life;

(4) To reduce to below two-thirds, the portion of Medicaid currently spent on the elderly; and

(5) To add volunteer work opportunities for healthy senior citizens.

208.313. 1. The division shall select two projects who meet the criteria and requirements set forth in subsection 2 of this section.

2. In order to be considered for selection as a project site a project shall file an application with the division and

present the following information:

(a) A proposed program;

(b) A proposed pilot area;

(c) A proposed budget;

(d) A proposed recruiting and training program for volunteers;

(e) A proposed support program for volunteers; and

(f) A proposed client eligibility and screening process.

208.315. The division shall conduct research to determine the relationship between such volunteer programs and the amount of involuntary institutionalism of recipients and shall make recommendations to the general assembly concerning the continuation or modification of the projects.

208.317. The division shall make such application as necessary to receive federal grants and shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of sections 208.309 to 208.317 pursuant to section 660.050 and chapter 536.