HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 710 Offered January 10, 2007 Prefiled January 10, 2007 Directing the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to study financial oversight for adult group homes in the Commonwealth. Report. ---------- Patron-- Hogan ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------

WHEREAS, numerous elderly and disabled adults in Virginia reside in small, private group homes regulated by the state; and

WHEREAS, these elderly or disabled individuals are often vulnerable to financial fraud; and

WHEREAS, many of these individuals qualify for social security benefits or other forms of significant federal public assistance; and

WHEREAS, law enforcement has observed that the operation of private group homes has become a very profitable business in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, currently there are few financial standards or regular reviews required to provide any meaningful oversight of small, private group homes; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission be directed to study financial oversight for adult group homes in the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall examine and formulate statewide standards for review of the financial operating expenses and profits of licensed group homes for less than four adults in the Commonwealth.  The study also shall examine and review the disbursement and expenditure of social security disability benefits and other types of public financial assistance designated for the adults that reside in these group homes.

Technical assistance shall be provided to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission by the Department of Social Services and the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2007, and the Chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2008 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.