Legis Daily

Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-3417| Senate 
| Updated: 12/16/2021
Michael F. Bennet

Michael F. Bennet

Democratic Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (22)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jon Tester (Democratic)Debbie Stabenow (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021 This bill prohibits government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life. Specifically, these entities may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by such actions as imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, or waiting lists or failing to provide a specific community-based service. Additionally, community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives. The bill requires the Department of Justice to issue regulations requiring government entities and insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services to individuals with such disabilities who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement. Government entities must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy. Regulations shall also (1) require government entities and insurance providers to perform self-evaluation on current services, policies, and practices and concerning compliance with requirements of this bill; and (2) require government entities to submit a transition plan. The bill provides funds for FY2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance with respect to transition plans. The bill allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of its requirements.
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Timeline
Dec 16, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Dec 16, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-6860
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • December 16, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 16, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-6860
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • HR 117-6860: Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2022
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCivil actions and liabilityCommunity life and organizationDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of JusticeDisability and health-based discriminationDisability and paralysisDisability assistanceEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth programs administration and fundingHome and outpatient careHousing for the elderly and disabledHousing supply and affordabilityIntergovernmental relationsLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careLow- and moderate-income housingMedicaidState and local government operations

Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-3417| Senate 
| Updated: 12/16/2021
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021 This bill prohibits government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life. Specifically, these entities may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by such actions as imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, or waiting lists or failing to provide a specific community-based service. Additionally, community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives. The bill requires the Department of Justice to issue regulations requiring government entities and insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services to individuals with such disabilities who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement. Government entities must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy. Regulations shall also (1) require government entities and insurance providers to perform self-evaluation on current services, policies, and practices and concerning compliance with requirements of this bill; and (2) require government entities to submit a transition plan. The bill provides funds for FY2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance with respect to transition plans. The bill allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of its requirements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Dec 16, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Dec 16, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Nov 1, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-6860
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
  • December 16, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 16, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • November 1, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-6860
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Michael F. Bennet

Michael F. Bennet

Democratic Senator

Colorado

Cosponsors (22)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Mazie K. Hirono (Democratic)Tammy Duckworth (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Jack Reed (Democratic)Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Ben Ray Luján (Democratic)Amy Klobuchar (Democratic)John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Jon Tester (Democratic)Debbie Stabenow (Democratic)Martin Heinrich (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Tammy Baldwin (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Robert Menendez (Democratic)Ron Wyden (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Related Bills

  • HR 117-6860: Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2022
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAppropriationsCivil actions and liabilityCommunity life and organizationDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDepartment of JusticeDisability and health-based discriminationDisability and paralysisDisability assistanceEmployment and training programsExecutive agency funding and structureHealth care costs and insuranceHealth care coverage and accessHealth programs administration and fundingHome and outpatient careHousing for the elderly and disabledHousing supply and affordabilityIntergovernmental relationsLong-term, rehabilitative, and terminal careLow- and moderate-income housingMedicaidState and local government operations