Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021

To prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and supports, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021 2. Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to clarify and strengthen the integration mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, held by the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999) in a manner that accelerates and improves State compliance; (2) to ensure that States provide long-term services and supports to individuals with disabilities in a manner that allows individuals with disabilities to live in the most integrated setting, including the individual’s own home, have maximum control over their services and supports, and ensure that long-term services and supports are provided in a manner that allows individuals with disabilities to lead an independent life; (3) to establish a comprehensive State planning requirement that includes enforceable, measurable objectives that are designed to transition individuals with all types of disabilities at all ages out of institutions and into the most integrated setting, if they choose that transition; and (4) to identify and address racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other disparities in the provision of community-based long-term services and supports. 3. Definitions and rule (a) Definitions In this Act: (1) Activities of daily living The term activities of daily living (2) Administrator The term Administrator (A) the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living; or (B) another designee of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (3) Community-based The term community-based (A) In the case of a dwelling or a nonresidential setting (such as a setting in which an individual with an LTSS disability receives day services and supported employment), a dwelling or setting— (i) that, as a matter of infrastructure, environment, amenities, location, services, and features, is integrated into the greater community and supports, for each individual with an LTSS disability who receives services or supports at the setting— (I) full access to the greater community (including access to opportunities to seek employment and work in competitive integrated settings, engage in community life, control personal resources, and receive services in the community); and (II) access to the greater community to the same extent as access to the community is enjoyed by an individual who is not receiving long-term services or supports; (ii) that the individual has selected as a meaningful choice from among nonresidential setting options, including nondisability-specific settings; (iii) in which an individual has rights to privacy, dignity, and respect, and freedom from coercion and restraint; (iv) that, as a matter of infrastructure, environment, amenities, location, services, and features, optimizes, but does not regiment, individual initiative, autonomy, and independence in making life choices, including choices about daily activities, physical environment, and persons with whom the individual interacts; and (v) that, as a matter of infrastructure, environment, amenities, location, services, and features, facilitates individual choice regarding the provision of services and supports, and who provides those services and supports. (B) In the case of a dwelling, a dwelling— (i) that is owned by an individual with an LTSS disability or the individual’s family member; (ii) that is leased to the individual with an LTSS disability under an individual lease, that has lockable access and egress, and that includes living, sleeping, bathing, and cooking areas over which an individual with an LTSS disability or the individual’s family member has domain and control; or (iii) that is a group or shared residence— (I) in which no more than 4 unrelated individuals with an LTSS disability reside; (II) for which each individual with an LTSS disability living at the residence owns, rents, or occupies the residence under a legally enforceable agreement under which the individual has, at a minimum, the same responsibilities and protections as tenants have under applicable landlord-tenant law; (III) in which each individual with an LTSS disability living at the residence— (aa) has privacy in the individual’s sleeping unit, including a lockable entrance door controlled by the individual; (bb) shares a sleeping unit only if such individual and the individual sharing the unit choose to do so, and if individuals in the residence so choose, they also have a choice of roommates within the residence; (cc) has the freedom to furnish and decorate the individual’s sleeping or living unit as permitted under the lease or other agreement; (dd) has the freedom and support to control the individual’s own schedules and activities; and (ee) is able to have visitors of the individual’s choosing at any time; and (IV) that is physically accessible to the individual with an LTSS disability living at the residence. (4) Dwelling The term dwelling 42 U.S.C. 3602 (5) Health-related tasks The term health-related tasks (A) administration of medication; (B) assistance with use, operation, and maintenance of a ventilator; and (C) maintenance and use of a gastrostomy tube, a catheter, or a stable ostomy. (6) Individual with a disability The term individual with a disability 42 U.S.C. 12102 (7) Individual with an LTSS disability The term individual with an LTSS disability (A) in order to live in the community and lead an independent life requires assistance in accomplishing— (i) activities of daily living; (ii) instrumental activities of daily living; (iii) health-related tasks; or (iv) other functions, tasks, or activities related to an activity or task described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii); and (B) (i) is currently in an institutional placement; or (ii) is at risk of institutionalization if the individual does not receive community-based long-term services and supports. (8) Institution The term institution (A) a skilled nursing facility (as defined in section 1819(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(a) (B) a nursing facility (as defined in section 1919(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396r(a) (C) a long-term care hospital (as described in section 1886(d)(1)(B)(iv) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(1)(B)(iv) (D) a facility described in section 1905(d) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(d) (E) an institution which is a psychiatric hospital (as defined in section 1861(f) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(f) (F) an institution described in section 1905(i) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(i) (G) any congregate health care services setting that is not community-based. (9) Instrumental activities of daily living (A) In general The term instrumental activities of daily living (i) nutrition, such as preparing meals or special diets, monitoring to prevent choking or aspiration, or assisting with special utensils; (ii) household chores and environmental maintenance tasks; (iii) communication and interpersonal skills, such as— (I) using the telephone or other communications devices; (II) forming and maintaining interpersonal relationships; or (III) securing opportunities to participate in group support or peer-to-peer support arrangements; (iv) travel and community participation, such as shopping, arranging appointments, or moving around the community; (v) care of others, such as raising children, taking care of pets, or selecting caregivers; or (vi) management of personal property and personal safety, such as— (I) taking medication; (II) handling or managing money; or (III) responding to emergent situations or unscheduled needs requiring an immediate response. (B) Assistance The term assistance (i) help the individual identify and set goals, overcome fears, and manage transitions; (ii) help the individual with executive functioning, decision making, and problem solving; (iii) provide reassurance to the individual; and (iv) help the individual with orientation, memory, and other activities related to independent living. (10) Long-term service or support The terms long-term service or support LTSS (A) activities of daily living; (B) instrumental activities of daily living; (C) health-related tasks; or (D) other functions, tasks, or activities related to an activity or task described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C). (11) LTSS insurance provider The term LTSS insurance provider (A) provides funds for long-term services and supports; and (B) is engaged in commerce or in an industry or activity affecting commerce. (12) Public entity (A) In general The term public entity (i) provides or funds institutional placements for individuals with LTSS disabilities; and (ii) is— (I) a State or local government; or (II) any department, agency, entity administering a special purpose district, or other instrumentality, of a State or local government. (B) Interstate commerce For purposes of subparagraph (A), a public entity shall be considered to be a person engaged in commerce or in an industry or activity affecting commerce. (b) Rule of construction Nothing in subsection (a)(2) or any other provision of this section shall be construed to preclude an individual with a disability from receiving community-based services and supports in an integrated community setting such as a grocery store, retail establishment, restaurant, bank, park, concert venue, theater, or workplace. 4. Discrimination (a) In general No public entity or LTSS insurance provider shall deny an individual with an LTSS disability who is eligible for institutional placement, or otherwise discriminate against that individual in the provision of, community-based long-term services and supports that enable the individual to live in the community and lead an independent life. (b) Specific prohibitions For purposes of this Act, discrimination by a public entity or LTSS insurance provider includes— (1) the imposition or application of eligibility criteria or another policy that prevents or tends to prevent an individual with an LTSS disability, or any class of individuals with LTSS disabilities, from receiving a community-based long-term service or support; (2) the imposition or application of a policy or other mechanism, such as a service or cost cap, that prevent or tends to prevent an individual with an LTSS disability, or any class of individuals with LTSS disabilities, from receiving a community-based long-term service or support; (3) a failure to provide a specific community-based long-term service or support or a type of community-based long-term service or support needed for an individual with an LTSS disability, or any class of individuals with LTSS disabilities; (4) the imposition or application of a policy, rule, regulation, or restriction that interferes with the opportunity for an individual with an LTSS disability, or any class of individuals with LTSS disabilities, to live in the community and lead an independent life, which may include a requirement that an individual with an LTSS disability receive a service or support (such as day services or employment services) in a congregate or disability-specific setting; (5) the imposition or application of a waiting list or other mechanism that delays or restricts access of an individual with an LTSS disability to a community-based long-term service or support; (6) a failure to establish an adequate rate or other payment structure that is necessary to ensure the availability of a workforce sufficient to support an individual with an LTSS disability in living in the community and leading an independent life; (7) a failure to provide community-based services and supports, on an intermittent, short-term, or emergent basis, that assist an individual with an LTSS disability to live in the community and lead an independent life; (8) the imposition or application of a policy, such as a requirement that an individual utilize informal support, that restricts, limits, or delays the ability of an individual with an LTSS disability to secure a community-based long-term service or support to live in the community or lead an independent life; (9) a failure to implement a formal procedure and a mechanism to ensure that— (A) individuals with LTSS disabilities are offered the alternative of community-based long-term services and supports prior to institutionalization; and (B) if selected by an individual with an LTSS disability, the community-based long-term services and supports described in subparagraph (A) are provided; (10) a failure to ensure that each institutionalized individual with an LTSS disability is regularly notified of the alternative of community-based long-term services and supports and that those community-based long-term services and supports are provided if the individual with an LTSS disability selects such services and supports; and (11) a failure to make a reasonable modification in a policy, practice, or procedure, when such modification is necessary to allow an individual with an LTSS disability to receive a community-based long-term service or support. (c) Additional prohibition For purposes of this Act, discrimination by a public entity also includes a failure to ensure that there is sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing to allow an individual with an LTSS disability to choose to live in the community and lead an independent life, including the availability of an option to live in housing where the receipt of LTSS is not tied to tenancy. (d) Construction Nothing in this section— (1) shall be construed— (A) to prevent a public entity or LTSS insurance provider from providing community-based long-term services and supports at a level that is greater than the level that is required by this section; or (B) to limit the rights of an individual with a disability under any provision of law other than this section; (2) shall be construed to affect the scope of obligations imposed by any other provision of law; or (3) shall be construed to prohibit a public entity or LTSS insurance provider from using managed care techniques, as long as the use of such techniques does not have the effect of discriminating against an individual in the provision of community-based long-term services and supports, as prohibited by this Act. 5. Administration (a) Authority and responsibility (1) Department of Justice The Attorney General shall investigate and take enforcement action for violations of this Act. (2) Department of Health and Human Services The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administrator, shall— (A) review, and approve or disapprove, transition plans submitted by public entities, under section 6(b)(10); (B) establish a task force to assess racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other disparities in the availability and provision of community-based long-term services and supports, which task force shall be responsible for— (i) overseeing studies regarding the nature and extent of racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other disparities in the availability and provision of community-based long-term services and supports and the impact that those disparities have on the institutionalization of individuals with LTSS disabilities; and (ii) submitting to Congress not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act a report on the nature and extent of racial, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other disparities in the availability and provision of community-based long-term services and supports, including recommendations for addressing those disparities; (C) establish a task force to identify obstacles that prevent individuals with LTSS disabilities from being able to choose community-based alternatives to institutionalization, and to recommend legislative or executive action to address the obstacles; and (D) refer information on violations of this Act to the Attorney General for investigation and enforcement action under this Act. (b) Cooperation of executive departments and agencies Each Federal agency and, in particular, each Federal agency covered by Executive Order 13217 (66 Fed. Reg. 33155; relating to community-based alternatives for individuals with disabilities), shall carry out programs and activities relating to the institutionalization of individuals with LTSS disabilities and the provision of community-based long-term services and supports for individuals with LTSS disabilities in accordance with this Act and shall cooperate with the Attorney General and the Administrator to further the purposes of this Act. 6. Regulations (a) Issuance of regulations Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall issue, in accordance with section 553 of title 5, United States Code, final regulations to carry out this Act, which shall include the regulations described in subsection (b). (b) Required contents of regulations (1) Protected individuals The regulations shall require each public entity and LTSS insurance provider to offer, and, if accepted, provide community-based long-term services and supports as required under this Act to any individual with an LTSS disability who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement provided or funded by the public entity or LTSS insurance provider. (2) Services to be provided The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity and LTSS insurance provider to provide the Attorney General and the Administrator (for purposes of enabling the Attorney General to consult with the Administrator) with an assurance that the public entity or LTSS insurance provider— (A) ensures that individuals with LTSS disabilities receive assistance through hands-on assistance, training, cueing, and safety monitoring, including access to backup systems, with— (i) activities of daily living; (ii) instrumental activities of daily living; (iii) health-related tasks; or (iv) other functions, tasks, or activities related to an activity or task described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii); (B) coordinates, conducts, performs, provides, or funds discharge planning from acute, rehabilitation, and long-term facilities to promote individuals with LTSS disabilities living in the most integrated setting chosen by the individuals; (C) issues, conducts, performs, provides, or funds policies and programs to promote self-direction and the provision of consumer-directed services and supports for all populations of individuals with LTSS disabilities served; (D) issues, conducts, performs, provides, or funds policies and programs to support informal caregivers who provide services for individuals with LTSS disabilities; and (E) ensures that individuals with all types of LTSS disabilities are able to live in the community and lead an independent life, including ensuring that the individuals have maximum control over the services and supports that the individuals receive, choose the setting in which the individuals receive those services and supports, and exercise control and direction over their own lives. (3) Public participation (A) Public entity The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity to carry out a public participation process in preparing the public entity’s self-evaluation under paragraph (5) and transition plan under paragraph (10). (B) LTSS insurance provider The regulations issued under this section shall require each LTSS insurance provider to carry out a public participation process that involves holding a public hearing, providing an opportunity for public comment, and consulting with individuals with LTSS disabilities, in preparing the LTSS insurance provider’s self-evaluation under paragraph (5). (C) Process In carrying out a public participation process under subparagraph (A) or (B), a public entity or LTSS insurance provider shall ensure that the process meets the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 1115(d)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315(d)(2) (i) the reference to at the State level (ii) the reference to an application shall be considered to be a reference to the self-evaluation or plan involved. (4) Additional services and supports The regulations issued under this section shall establish circumstances under which a public entity shall provide community-based long-term services and supports under this section beyond the level of community-based long-term services and supports which would otherwise be required under this subsection. (5) Self-evaluation (A) In general The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity and each LTSS insurance provider, not later than 30 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to evaluate current services, policies, and practices, and the effects thereof, that do not or may not meet the requirements of this Act and, to the extent modification of any such services, policies, and practices is required to meet the requirements of this Act, make the necessary modifications. The self-evaluation shall include— (i) collection of baseline information, including the numbers of individuals with LTSS disabilities in various institutional and community-based settings served by the public entity or LTSS insurance provider, including demographic data that— (I) specifies whether the individuals are women, veterans, or minorities; and (II) is disaggregated by race in a manner that captures all the racial groups specified in the American Community Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census; (ii) a review of community capacity, in communities served by the entity or provider, in providing community-based long-term services and supports; (iii) identification of improvements needed to ensure that all community-based long-term services and supports provided by the public entity or LTSS insurance provider to individuals with LTSS disabilities are comprehensive, are accessible, are not duplicative of existing (as of the date of the identification) services and supports, meet the needs of persons who are likely to require assistance in order to live, or lead a life, as described in section 4(a), and are culturally competent, high-quality services and supports, which may include identifying system improvements that create an option to self-direct receipt of such services and supports for all populations of such individuals served; and (iv) a review of funding sources for community-based long-term services and supports and an analysis of how those funding sources could be organized into a fair, coherent system that affords individuals reasonable and timely access to culturally competent, community-based long-term services and supports. (B) Public entity A public entity, including an LTSS insurance provider that is a public entity, shall— (i) include in the self-evaluation described in subparagraph (A)— (I) an assessment of the availability of accessible, affordable transportation across the State involved and whether transportation barriers prevent individuals from receiving long-term services and supports in the most integrated setting; and (II) an assessment of the availability of integrated employment opportunities in the jurisdiction served by the public entity for individuals with LTSS disabilities; (ii) provide the self-evaluation described in subparagraph (A) to the Attorney General; and (iii) make the self-evaluation described in subparagraph (A) available on the public internet website of the public entity. (C) LTSS insurance provider An LTSS insurance provider shall keep the self-evaluation described in subparagraph (A) on file, and may be required to produce such self-evaluation in the event of a review, investigation, or action described in section 8. (6) Additional requirement for public entities The regulations issued under this section shall require a public entity, in conjunction with the housing agencies serving the jurisdiction served by the public entity, to review and improve community capacity, in all communities throughout the entirety of that jurisdiction, in providing affordable, accessible, and integrated housing, including an evaluation of available units, unmet need, and other identifiable barriers to the provision of that housing. In carrying out that improvement, the public entity, in conjunction with such housing agencies, shall— (A) ensure, and assure the Attorney General and the Administrator that there is, sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing in a setting that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy, in order to provide individuals with LTSS disabilities a meaningful choice in their housing; (B) in order to address the need for affordable, accessible, and integrated housing— (i) in the case of such a housing agency, establish relationships with State and local housing authorities; and (ii) in the case of the public entity, establish relationships with State and local housing agencies, including housing authorities; (C) establish, where needed, necessary preferences and set-asides in housing programs for individuals with LTSS disabilities who are transitioning from or avoiding institutional placement; (D) establish a process to fund necessary home modifications so that individuals with LTSS disabilities can live independently; and (E) ensure, and assure the Attorney General and the Administrator, that funds and programs implemented or overseen by the public entity or in the public entity’s jurisdiction are targeted toward affordable, accessible, integrated housing for individuals with an LTSS disability who have the lowest income levels in the jurisdiction as a priority over any other development until capacity barriers for such housing are removed or unmet needs for such housing have been met. (7) Designation of responsible employee The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity and LTSS insurance provider to designate at least one employee to coordinate the entity’s or provider’s efforts to comply with and carry out the entity or provider’s responsibilities under this Act, including the investigation of any complaint communicated to the entity or provider that alleges a violation of this Act. Each public entity and LTSS insurance provider shall make available to all interested individuals the name, office address, and telephone number of the employee designated pursuant to this paragraph. (8) Grievance procedures The regulations issued under this section shall require public entities and LTSS insurance providers to adopt and publish grievance procedures providing for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging a violation of this Act. (9) Provision of service by others The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity submitting a self-evaluation under paragraph (5) to identify, as part of the transition plan described in paragraph (10), any other entity that is, or acts as, an agent, subcontractor, or other instrumentality of the public entity with regards to a service, support, policy, or practice described in such plan or self-evaluation. (10) Transition plans The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity, not later than 42 months after the date of enactment of this Act, to submit to the Administrator and, on approval by the Administrator, begin implementing a transition plan for carrying out this Act that establishes the achievement of the requirements of this Act, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 12 years after the date of enactment of this Act. The transition plan shall— (A) establish measurable objectives to address the barriers to community living identified in the self-evaluation under paragraph (5); (B) establish specific annual targets for the transition of individuals with LTSS disabilities, and shifts in funding, from institutional settings to integrated community-based services and supports, and related programs; (C) describe specific efforts to support individuals with LTSS disabilities to avoid unwanted institutionalization through the provision of LTSS; (D) describe the manner in which the public entity has obtained or plans to obtain necessary funding and resources needed for implementation of the plan (regardless of whether the entity began carrying out the objectives of this Act prior to the date of enactment of this Act); and (E) describe the steps taken to ensure that the transition plan addresses the needs of communities of color and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, and other underrepresented individuals. (11) Annual reporting (A) In general The regulations issued under this section shall establish annual reporting requirements for each public entity covered by this section. (B) Progress on objectives, targets, and efforts The regulations issued under this section shall require each public entity that has submitted a transition plan, to make publicly available on the entity's website an annual report on the progress the public entity has made during the previous year in meeting the measurable objectives, specific annual targets, and specific efforts described in paragraph (10). (c) Review of transition plans (1) General rule The Administrator shall review a transition plan submitted in accordance with subsection (b)(10), not later than 90 days after receiving the plan, for the purpose of determining whether such plan meets the requirements of this Act, including the regulations issued under this section. (2) Disapproval If the Administrator determines that a transition plan reviewed under this subsection fails to meet the requirements of this Act, the Administrator shall disapprove the transition plan and notify the public entity that submitted the transition plan of, and the reasons for, such disapproval. (3) Modification of disapproved plan Not later than 90 days after the date of disapproval of a transition plan under this subsection, the public entity that submitted the transition plan shall modify the transition plan to meet the requirements of this section and shall submit the modified plan to the Administrator. Not later than 90 days after receiving the modified plan, the Administrator shall review the plan and, on approval by the Administrator, the public entity shall begin implementing the plan. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in subsection (b)(10) or (c) or any other provision of this Act shall be construed to limit the rights, protections, or requirements of any other Federal law, relating to integration of individuals with disabilities into the community and enabling those individuals to live in the most integrated setting. 7. Exemptions for religious organizations This Act shall not prohibit a religious organization, association, or society from giving preference in providing community-based long-term services and supports to individuals of a particular religion connected with the beliefs of such organization, association, or society. 8. Enforcement (a) Civil action (1) In general A civil action for preventive relief, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, may be instituted by an individual described in paragraph (2) in an appropriate Federal district court. (2) Aggrieved individual (A) In general The remedies and procedures set forth in this section are the remedies and procedures this Act provides to any individual who is being subjected to a violation of this Act, or who has reasonable grounds for believing that such individual is about to be subjected to such a violation. (B) Standing An individual with a disability shall have standing to institute a civil action under this subsection if the individual makes a prima facie showing that the individual— (i) is an individual with an LTSS disability; and (ii) is being subjected to, or about to be subjected to, such a violation (including a violation of section 4(b)(11)). (3) Appointment of attorney; no fees, costs, or security Upon application by the complainant described in paragraph (2) and in such circumstances as the court may determine to be just, the court may appoint an attorney for the complainant and may authorize the commencement of such civil action without the payment of fees, costs, or security. (4) Futile gesture not required Nothing in this section shall require an individual with an LTSS disability to engage in a futile gesture if such person has actual notice that a public entity or LTSS insurance provider does not intend to comply with the provisions of this Act. (b) Damages and injunctive relief If the court finds that a violation of this Act has occurred or is about to occur, the court may award to the complainant— (1) actual and punitive damages; (2) immediate injunctive relief to prevent institutionalization; (3) as the court determines to be appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction (including an order to immediately provide or maintain community-based long-term services or supports for an individual to prevent institutionalization or further institutionalization), temporary restraining order, or other order (including an order enjoining the defendant from engaging in a practice that violates this Act or ordering such affirmative action as may be appropriate); and (4) in an appropriate case, injunctive relief to require the modification of a policy, practice, or procedure, or the provision of an alternative method of providing LTSS, to the extent required by this Act. (c) Attorney’s fees; liability of United States for costs In any action commenced pursuant to this Act, the court, in its discretion, may allow the party bringing a claim or counterclaim under this Act, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs, and the United States shall be liable for costs to the same extent as a private person. (d) Enforcement by attorney general (1) Denial of rights (A) Duty to investigate The Attorney General shall investigate alleged violations of this Act, and shall undertake periodic reviews of the compliance of public entities and LTSS insurance providers under this Act. (B) Potential violation The Attorney General may commence a civil action in any appropriate Federal district court if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that— (i) any public entity or LTSS insurance provider, including a group of public entities or LTSS insurance providers, is engaged in a pattern or practice of violations of this Act; or (ii) any individual, including a group, has been subjected to a violation of this Act and the violation raises an issue of general public importance. (2) Authority of court In a civil action under paragraph (1)(B), the court— (A) may grant any equitable relief that such court considers to be appropriate, including, to the extent required by this Act— (i) granting temporary, preliminary, or permanent relief; and (ii) requiring the modification of a policy, practice, or procedure, or the provision of an alternative method of providing LTSS; (B) may award such other relief as the court considers to be appropriate, including damages to individuals described in subsection (a)(2), when requested by the Attorney General; and (C) may, to vindicate the public interest, assess a civil penalty against the public entity or LTSS insurance provider in an amount— (i) not exceeding $100,000 for a first violation; and (ii) not exceeding $200,000 for any subsequent violation. (3) Single violation For purposes of paragraph (2)(C), in determining whether a first or subsequent violation has occurred, a determination in a single action, by judgment or settlement, that the public entity or LTSS insurance provider has engaged in more than one violation of this Act shall be counted as a single violation. 9. Technical assistance (a) In general The Administrator shall provide technical assistance to public entities for purposes of creating and implementing transition plans in accordance with section 6(b)(10). (b) Appropriations In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Administrator for fiscal year 2022, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $10,000,000, to remain available until expended, to carry out this section. 10. Construction For purposes of construing this Act— (1) section 4(b)(11) shall be construed in a manner that takes into account its similarities with section 302(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12182(b)(2)(A)(ii) (2) the first sentence of section 6(b)(5)(A) shall be construed in a manner that takes into account its similarities with section 35.105(a) of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act); (3) section 7 shall be construed in a manner that takes into account its similarities with section 807(a) of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 ( 42 U.S.C. 3607(a) (4) section 8(a)(2) shall be construed in a manner that takes into account its similarities with section 308(a)(1) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12188(a)(1) (5) section 8(d)(1)(B) shall be construed in a manner that takes into account its similarities with section 308(b)(1)(B) of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12188(b)(1)(B)

Summary: 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.