§18-10L-2. Policy; principles; projects.

(a) It is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state that:

(1) Availability of personal assistance services for persons with disabilities should be increased to enable them to live in their own homes and communities;

(2) Recipients of personal assistance will be those with severe disabilities, including mental, sensory or physical impairments, or any combination of impairments, who are in need of assistance to live in a living arrangement of their choice in lieu of a more restrictive setting; and

(3) Recipients of personal assistance have the right to make decisions regarding and to control the provision of their personal assistance services. This includes, but is not limited to, hiring, training, managing, paying and terminating an assistant's employment.

(b) Implementation of the program established in this article shall be based on the following five basic principles:

(1) Services may be received where they are needed, either at home or in the community, subject to available funding;

(2) Services may be scheduled when they are needed, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, as scheduled or needed on an emergency basis, subject to available funding;

(3) Recipients contribute to the cost of services based on their ability to pay;

(4) Recipients are granted control over the services provided to the fullest extent possible including how, when and by whom services are provided; and

(5) Eligibility shall be based on functional needs rather than on a medical diagnosis.

(c) Subject to available funds, other personal assistance projects shall be developed to increase the availability of services throughout the state to serve eligible individuals.