As used in sections 17b-650 to 17b-665, inclusive, and sections 10-298b and 10-298c:
(a) "Person with a disability" means any individual with a disability, excluding blindness, as such term is applied to Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time;
(b) "Vocational rehabilitation service" means any goods and services necessary to render a person with a disability employable, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time;
(c) "Community rehabilitation program" means a program that provides directly for or facilitates the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities, as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time;
(d) "Products are made or manufactured by or services are provided by persons with disabilities" if not less than seventy-five per cent of the hours of direct labor required for such products or services are performed by persons with disabilities.
(1949 Rev., S. 1409; 1957, P.A. 557, S. 1; 1967, P.A. 337, S. 1; 1969, P.A. 449, S. 1; P.A. 77-405, S. 1, 5; P.A. 79- 344, S. 1; P.A. 89-354, S. 4, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 95-355, S. 1.)
History: 1967 act substituted "gainful" for "remunerative" occupation in Subdivs. (a) and (c) and redefined "individual who is under a physical or mental disability" to include persons suffering from behavioral disorders; 1969 act redefined "vocational rehabilitation service" to include services to families of handicapped persons, substituted definition of "rehabilitation facility" for definition of "work shop" in Subdiv. (d) and added Subdivs. (e) and (f) defining "disadvantaged individual" and "evaluation and work adjustment services"; P.A. 77-405 added Subdiv. (g) defining products "made or manufactured by or services provided by handicapped persons"; P.A. 79-344 redefined terms in Subdivs. (a) to (d), deleted definitions of "disadvantaged individual" and "evaluation and work adjustment services", added definition of "substantial handicap to employment" as Subdiv. (e) and relettered former Subdiv. (g) as Subdiv. (f); P.A. 89-354 changed "handicapped individual" to "person with a disability", effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10- 100 transferred to Sec. 17-660 in 1993 and reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108 revised to reflect their transfer; Sec. 17- 660 transferred to Sec. 17b-650 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 amended the definitions of "person with a disability" and "vocational rehabilitation service" and added a definition of "community rehabilitation program" as used in Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time and deleted the definitions of an "individual who has a physical or mental disability" and "substantial handicap to employment".
See note to Sec. 17b-651.
Cited. 44 CA 143.

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The Department of Social Services shall maintain a Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and shall disburse all funds provided for such rehabilitation, except for services to the blind. The Commissioner of Social Services shall appoint and, subject to the provisions of section 4-40, the Commissioner of Administrative Services, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, shall fix the compensation of such persons as may be necessary to administer the provisions of sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive, and may, within said bureau, create such sections as will facilitate such administration, including a disability determinations section for which one hundred per cent federal funds may be accepted for the operation of such section in conformity with applicable state and federal regulations.
(1949 Rev., S. 1410; 1957, P.A. 557, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 91; P.A. 77-614, S. 540, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 2, 8; P.A. 89-354, S. 5, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: 1965 act substituted "division" for "unit"; P.A. 77-614 transferred responsibility for maintaining rehabilitation division from state board of education to department of human resources, transferred appointment power from state board to commissioner of human resources and transferred compensation-fixing power from state board to commissioner of administrative services, subject to approval of secretary of the office of policy and management, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 returned responsibility for maintaining division and appointment power to state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 89-354 changed name of vocational rehabilitation division to bureau of rehabilitation services and transferred bureau from state board of education to department of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to Sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-101 transferred to Sec. 17-661 in 1993 and references to associated sections revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-661 transferred to Sec. 17b-651 in 1995.
Annotation to former section 10-101:
Secs. 10-100, 10-101. No duty on workmen's compensation commissioner to take any action under these sections. 135 C. 498.
Annotation to former section 17-661:
Cited. 44 CA 143.
Annotation to present section:
Cited. 44 CA 143.

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The transfer of functions, powers, duties, obligations, including, but not limited to, contract obligations, collective bargaining agreements and collective bargaining obligations, the continuance of orders and regulations, the effect upon pending actions and proceedings, the completion of unfinished business and the transfer of records and property between the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Human Resources, as said bureau existed immediately prior to the effective date of the transfer to the Department of Social Services pursuant to the provisions of public act 93-262*, and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services within the Department of Social Services shall be governed by the provisions of subsections (a) to (f), inclusive, of section 4-38d and shall not modify any existing collective bargaining agreements or conditions of employment unless and until modified by a successor collective bargaining agreement or be utilized to change or to serve as the basis for a change in the bargaining unit designation of any of the employees or any of the classifications for employees covered by the provisions of sections 5-198, 17b-612, 17b-614, 17b-615 and 17b-650 to 17b-661, inclusive. The provisions of this section shall be in effect from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 1995, inclusive.
(P.A. 93-427, S. 4, 6.)
*Public act 93-262 is entitled "An Act Concerning the Establishment of the Department of Social Services" (See Reference Table captioned "Public Acts of 1993" in Volume 16 which lists the sections amended, created or repealed by the act.)
History: P.A. 93-427 effective July 1, 1993.

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(a) Vocational rehabilitation services shall be provided, with or without public cost, directly or through public or private instrumentalities, as part of an individual written rehabilitation program for a person with disabilities determined to be eligible by the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time. Nothing in this section shall be construed to mean that an individual's ability or inability to share in the cost of vocational rehabilitative services may be taken into account during the determination of eligibility for such services.
(b) If vocational rehabilitation services cannot be provided for all eligible persons with disabilities who apply for such services, the Department of Social Services shall determine, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., and federal regulations, as amended from time to time, the order to be followed in selecting those to whom such services will be provided.
(c) Nothing in section 17b-650 or subsection (a) of this section shall be construed to preclude provision of vocational rehabilitation services, with or without public cost, to a person with a disability under an extended evaluation for a total period not in excess of eighteen months, in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time.
(d) The Department of Social Services may adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish standards and procedures governing the provision of vocational rehabilitation services and, where appropriate, a means test to determine, based upon the financial need of each eligible person with disabilities, the extent to which such services will be provided at public cost. Any funds received by the department from individuals or third parties for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services shall be used by the department to provide such services. The regulations may also prescribe the procedures to be used when payment is made by individuals required to contribute to the cost of vocational rehabilitation services. Regulations developed to implement a means test shall include, but not be limited to: (1) An exemption for any individual with an income of less than one hundred per cent of the state median income and assets which are less than five thousand dollars; (2) an exemption for services covered in an individual written rehabilitation program in effect at the time of implementation of the means test; (3) an exclusion from an individual's income of the costs of necessary and reasonable disability-related expenses including, but not limited to, personal attendant services and medications for which payment is unavailable to the individual through other benefits or resources; (4) an exclusion from the individual's assets of the value of the individual's primary residence and motor vehicle; (5) a method by which the director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services may reduce the level of required contributions by an individual in the case of undue hardship; and (6) a requirement that such bureau notify an individual of the results of the means test analysis within thirty days of receipt of necessary financial information from the individual. Such means test shall not apply to services covered under a determination of financial need made by an institution of higher education. The Department of Social Services shall develop the regulations in consultation with representatives of providers of vocational rehabilitation services and recipients of such services or their representatives.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 3; 1967, P.A. 337, S. 2, 3; 1969, P.A. 449, S. 2—4; P.A. 77-614, S. 541, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 3, 8; P.A. 79-344, S. 2; P.A. 85-551; P.A. 89-354, S. 6, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 14, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 2; P.A. 98-103.)
History: 1967 act amended Subsec. (a) to include services to present or potential social security disability beneficiaries regardless of residency and to those requiring service to determine their potential to benefit from rehabilitation service, removed limitations on provision of services at public cost which had excluded payment for diagnostic and related services and limited payments to "the extent that the handicapped individual is found to require financial assistance" and added Subsec. (c); 1969 act amended Subsec. (a) to include services to families of handicapped persons, to delete provision concerning residency and social security disability as eligibility criteria and to add provision concerning evaluation and work adjustment services, amended Subsec. (b) to include evaluation and work adjustment services and amended Subsec. (c) to include persons with arthritis, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis or renal failure; P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 substituted state board of education for department of human resources; P.A. 79-344 deleted provisions concerning evaluation and work adjustment services and revised Subsec. (c) to replace specific and detailed provisions governing extended evaluations with more general provisions; P.A. 85-551 added provisions re regulations to establish standards and procedures for determining when part of the cost of services is to be paid by the recipient; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed "handicapped individual" to "person with a disability", effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date to P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-102 transferred to Sec. 17-663 in 1993 and internal reference to Sec. 10-100 revised to reflect its transfer to Sec. 17-660; P.A. 93-262 replaced department of human resources with department of social services and deleted reference to income maintenance department's advisory role in developing regulations, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-663 transferred to Sec. 17b-653 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 replaced previous criteria for provision of services with requirement that vocational rehabilitation services be provided in accordance with Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 701 et seq., as amended from time to time; P.A. 98-103 amended Subsec. (a) to require that vocational rehabilitation services be provided "with or without" public cost in lieu of "completely or in part, at" public cost, amended Subsec. (c) to make a technical change consistent with Subsec. (a) and amended Subsec. (d) to authorize adoption of regulations establishing a means test to determine extent to which such services will be provided at public cost, to specify six requirements for the regulations re means test and to make various technical changes.
Cited. 44 CA 143.

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(a) Any applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services may request an informal review of any decision made by the bureau pursuant to section 17b-653.
(b) Regardless of whether a person requests an informal review under subsection (a) of this section, any applicant for or recipient of vocational rehabilitation services who is aggrieved by a decision made by the bureau pursuant to section 17b-653 may request an administrative hearing, by making written request to the director of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services.
(c) An individual who is aggrieved by a final agency decision made pursuant to subsection (b) of this section may appeal therefrom in accordance with section 4-183. Such appeals shall be privileged cases to be heard by the court as soon after the return day as shall be practicable.
(P.A. 79-344, S. 3; P.A. 89-354, S. 7, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 3.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from state board of education to department of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-102a transferred to Sec. 17-664 in 1993 and internal reference to Sec. 10-102 revised to reflect its transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-664 transferred to Sec. 17b-654 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 substituted "informal" for "administrative" review in Subsec. (a), added Subsec. (b) which provides for an administrative hearing and added Subsec. (c) which provides for an appeal in accordance with Sec. 4-183.
Annotations to former section 17-664:
Cited. 44 CA 143. P.A. 95-355 cited. Id.
Annotations to present section:
P.A. 95-355 applies retroactively. 243 C. 623.
Cited. 44 CA 143. P.A. 95-355 cited. Id.

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(a) In carrying out sections 17b-650 to 17b-665, inclusive, the Department of Social Services shall cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the vocational rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, in studying the problems involved therein and in establishing, developing and providing such programs, facilities and services as it deems necessary or desirable. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general statutes to the contrary, the Division of Rehabilitation Services shall not be required to pay that portion of the cost of a program of postsecondary education or training which is properly designated as expected parental or family contribution in accordance with state and federal law regarding eligibility for student financial aid.
(b) Subject to the approval of all real estate acquisitions by the Commissioner of Public Works and the State Properties Review Board, in carrying out said sections, the Department of Social Services may (1) establish, operate, foster and promote the establishment of rehabilitation facilities and make grants to public and other nonprofit and nonsectarian organizations for such purposes; (2) assist persons with severe disabilities to establish and operate small businesses; and (3) make studies, investigations, demonstrations and reports, and provide training and instruction, including the establishment and maintenance of such research fellowships and traineeships with such stipends and allowances as may be deemed necessary, in matters relating to vocational rehabilitation.
(c) The Commissioner of Social Services shall develop and maintain a program of public education and information. The program shall include, but not be limited to, education of the public concerning services available from the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, its policies and goals, an outreach effort to discover persons with disabilities, including such persons who are minorities as defined in subsection (a) of section 32- 9n, who may benefit from the services it offers and the dissemination of printed materials to persons at their initial meeting with staff of the bureau, including a statement of such person's rights. Each state agency providing services to persons with disabilities shall furnish to each person applying for such services, at the time of initial application, a written summary of all state programs for persons with disabilities. Such summary shall be developed by the Department of Social Services as the lead agency for services to persons with disabilities pursuant to section 17b-606. The Department of Social Services shall distribute sufficient copies of the summary to all state agencies providing services to persons with disabilities in order that such copies may be furnished in accordance with this subsection.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 449, S. 5; P.A. 75-425, S. 28, 57; P.A. 77-614, S. 73, 542, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 4, 8; P.A. 87-496, S. 47, 110; P.A. 89-354, S. 8, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 91-303, S. 1, 2, 22; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 4.)
History: 1969 act deleted provision empowering board to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states, allowed state board itself to establish and operate facilities as well as to foster and promote their establishment and deleted reference to workshops; P.A. 75-425 made real estate acquisitions subject to approval of public works commissioner and state properties review board; P.A. 77-614 transferred powers and duties of state board of education to department of human resources, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 returned powers and duties to state board of education; P.A. 87-496 substituted public works for administrative services commissioner in Subsec. (b); P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed "handicapped individual" to "person with a disability" and added new Subsec.(c) re program of public education and information, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; P.A. 91-303 in Subsec. (a) added the clause concerning expected parental or family contribution; Sec. 10-103 transferred to Sec. 17-665 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-665 transferred to Sec. 17b-655 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 made a technical change.

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Sec. 17b-656. (Formerly Sec. 17-666). Preference to be given to products and services rendered by persons with disabilities. Information concerning products and services to be supplied by bureau. Whenever any products made or manufactured by or services provided by persons with disabilities through community rehabilitation programs described in subsection (b) of section 17b-655 or in any workshop established, operated or funded by nonprofit and nonsectarian organizations for the purpose of providing persons with disabilities training and employment suited to their abilities meet the requirements of any department, institution or agency supported in whole or in part by the state as to quantity, quality and price such products shall have preference over products or services from other providers, except (1) articles produced or manufactured by blind persons under the direction or supervision of the Board of Education and Services for the Blind as provided in section 10-298a, (2) articles produced or manufactured by Department of Correction industries as provided in section 18-88 and (3) emergency purchases made under section 4-98. All departments, institutions and agencies supported in whole or in part by the state shall purchase such articles made or manufactured and services provided by persons with disabilities from the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services. Any political subdivision of the state may purchase such articles and services through the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services. A list describing styles, designs, sizes and varieties of all such articles made by persons with disabilities and describing all available services provided by such persons shall be prepared by the Connecticut Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services shall cooperate with the State Board of Education and Services for the Blind by submitting necessary information concerning such products and services to the Board of Education and Services for the Blind at frequent intervals.
(P.A. 77-405, S. 2, 5; P.A. 89-354, S. 9, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87; P.A. 95-355, S. 5.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed "handicapped individual" to "person with a disability", effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-103a transferred to Sec. 17-666 in 1993 and internal reference to Sec. 10-103 revised to reflect its transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-666 transferred to Sec. 17b- 656 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 changed the reference of "rehabilitation facilities" to "community rehabilitation programs".
See Sec. 10-298b re preference given to products and services provided by blind persons.
See Sec. 10-298c re Administrative Services Commissioner's power to regulate purchase of products and services of blind or handicapped persons.
See Sec. 17b-650 for definitions applicable to vocational rehabilitation.

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Sec. 17b-657. (Formerly Sec. 17-667). Additional powers of bureau re provision of medical, diagnostic, physical restoration, training and other rehabilitation services. The Department of Social Services is authorized, acting through the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of said department, to provide such medical, diagnostic, physical restoration, training and other rehabilitation services as may be needed to enable persons with disabilities to attain the maximum degree of self care. The powers herein delegated and authorized to the Department of Social Services shall be in addition to those authorized by any other law and shall become effective upon authorization of federal grant- in-aid funds for participation in the cost of independent living rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The Department of Social Services shall be authorized to cooperate with whatever federal agency is directed to administer the federal aspects of such program and to comply with such requirements and conditions as may be established for the receipt and disbursement of federal grant-in-aid funds which may be made available to the state of Connecticut in carrying out such program.
(P.A. 79-344, S. 4; P.A. 89-354, S. 10, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and changed "handicapped individual" to "person with a disability", effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-103b transferred to Sec. 17-667 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-667 transferred to Sec. 17b-657 in 1995.

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The Department of Social Services is authorized to cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation, to adopt such methods of administration as it finds necessary for the proper and efficient operation of agreements or plans for vocational rehabilitation and to comply with such conditions as may be necessary to secure the full benefits of such federal statutes to this state.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 5; P.A. 77-614, S. 543, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 5, 8; P.A. 89-354, S. 11, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 replaced department of human resources with state board of education; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from state board of education to department of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-104 transferred to Sec. 17-668 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-668 transferred to Sec. 17b-658 in 1995.

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The State Treasurer is designated as the custodian of all funds received from the federal government for the purpose of carrying out any federal statutes pertaining to vocational rehabilitation or any agreements authorized by sections 17b-650 to 17b- 663, inclusive, and shall make disbursements from such funds and from all state funds available for vocational rehabilitation purposes, except for services to the blind, upon certification by the Commissioner of Social Services.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 6; P.A. 77-614, S. 544, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 6, 8; P.A. 89-354, S. 12, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 replaced department of human resources with state board of education; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from commissioner of education to commission of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-105 transferred to Sec. 17-669 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-669 transferred to Sec. 17b-659 in 1995.

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The Commissioner of Social Services is authorized to accept and use gifts made unconditionally by will or otherwise for carrying out the purposes of sections 17b-650 to 17b-663, inclusive. Gifts made under such conditions as in the judgment of the Commissioner of Social Services are proper and consistent with the provisions of said sections may be so accepted and shall be held, invested, reinvested and used in accordance with the conditions of the gift.
(1949 Rev., S. 1411; 1957, P.A. 557, S. 7; P.A. 77-614, S. 545, 610; P.A. 78-354, S. 7, 8; P.A. 85-377, S. 3, 13; P.A. 89-354, S. 13, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 77-614 substituted department of human resources for state board of education, effective January 1, 1979; P.A. 78-354 replaced department of human resources with state board of education; P.A. 85-377 substituted "commissioner" for "state board" of education; P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities from commissioner of education to commissioner of human resources, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-106 transferred to Sec. 17-670 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; P.A. 93- 262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-670 transferred to Sec. 17b-660 in 1995.

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Sec. 17b-661. (Formerly Sec. 17-671). Purchase of placement equipment and wheelchairs. Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services may, within the limits of appropriations, purchase (1) wheelchairs and placement equipment directly and without the issuance of a purchase order, provided such purchases shall not be in excess of three thousand five hundred dollars per unit purchased and (2) adaptive equipment and modified vehicles for persons with disabilities directly and without the issuance of a purchase order, provided such purchases of adaptive equipment shall not be in excess of ten thousand dollars per unit purchased and such purchases of modified vehicles shall not be in excess of twenty-five thousand dollars per vehicle. All such purchases shall be made in the open market, but shall, when possible, be based on at least three competitive bids. Such bids shall be solicited by sending notice to prospective suppliers and by posting notice on a public bulletin board within said Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Each bid shall be opened publicly at the time stated in the notice soliciting such bid. Acceptance of a bid by said Bureau of Rehabilitation Services shall be based on standard specifications as may be adopted by said bureau.
(P.A. 77-264; P.A. 89-354, S. 14, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 89-354 changed responsibilities of vocational rehabilitation services from state board of education to department of human resources and added new Subdiv. (2) re adaptive equipment and modified vehicles, effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 10-106a transferred to Sec. 17-671 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-671 transferred to Sec. 17b-661 in 1995.

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The right of a person with disability to maintenance under sections 17b-650 to 17b-665, inclusive, shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 8; P.A. 95-355, S. 6.)
History: Sec. 10-107 transferred to Sec. 17-672 in 1993 and internal reference to Secs. 10-100 to 10-108, inclusive, revised to reflect their transfer; Sec. 17-672 transferred to Sec. 17b-662 in 1995; P.A. 95-355 changed "handicapped individual" to "person with disability" and made a technical change.

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Sec. 17b-663. (Formerly Sec. 17-673). Information concerning beneficiaries confidential. Any person who, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program, solicits, discloses, receives or makes use of, or authorizes, knowingly permits, participates in or acquiesces in the use of, any name or list of names of, or any information concerning, persons applying for or receiving vocational rehabilitation, directly or indirectly derived from official sources or documents or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties, shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars.
(1957, P.A. 557, S. 9.)
History: Sec. 10-108 transferred to Sec. 17-673 in 1993; Sec. 17-673 transferred to Sec. 17b-663 in 1995.

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Sec. 17b-664. (Formerly Sec. 17-674). Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. Toll- free telephone service. The Department of Social Services shall establish toll-free telephone service for use by the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and its clients.
(P.A. 89-354, S. 17, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 89-354, S. 17 effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 17- 611 transferred to Sec. 17-674 in 1991; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-674 transferred to Sec. 17b- 664 in 1995.

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On July 1, 1991, and annually thereafter, the Department of Social Services shall report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies concerning (1) the plans of the department to reduce the case loads of counselors of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services to reflect the regional average for counselor case loads, (2) client information, including, but not limited to, the age, race, gender, nature of disabilities, placements and statistics on job retention and on the number of persons with disabilities in the state, (3) the department's efforts to insure that the proportion of disabled persons who are minorities, as defined in subsection (a) of section 32-9n, and who are served by the bureau is equivalent to the proportion of minorities within the total disabled population of the state and (4) the number, nature and resolution of complaints received by the bureau. The department shall provide each committee with a copy of the federal audit of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and in its initial report, the department shall advise the committees concerning the cost of the transfer from the Department of Education to the Department of Social Services.
(P.A. 89-354, S. 18, 21; P.A. 90-325, S. 12, 32; P.A. 93-262, S. 1, 87.)
History: P.A. 89-354, S. 18 effective July 1, 1990; P.A. 90-325 changed the effective date of P.A. 89-354 from July 1, 1990, to sixty days after the determination by the office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services of the United States Department of Education that (1) the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements to be designated as the sole state agency to administer the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services and (2) the proposed bureau of rehabilitation services within the department of human resources meets all applicable federal statutory and regulatory requirements as a vocational rehabilitation organizational unit, i.e. July 1, 1991; Sec. 17- 612 transferred to Sec. 17-675 in 1993; P.A. 93-262 authorized substitution of commissioner and department of social services for commissioner and department of human resources, effective July 1, 1993; Sec. 17-675 transferred to Sec. 17b- 665 in 1995.

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Sec. 17b-666. Employment opportunities program for underserved persons with significant disabilities. Regulations. (a) The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Social Services may receive state and federal funds to administer, within available appropriations, an employment opportunities program to serve individuals with the most significant disabilities who do not meet the eligibility requirements of supported employment programs administered by the Departments of Mental Retardation and Mental Health and Addiction Services. For the purposes of this section, "individuals with the most significant disabilities" means those individuals who (1) have serious employment limitations in a total of three or more functional areas including, but not limited to, mobility, communication, self-care, interpersonal skills, work tolerance or work skills, or (2) will require significant ongoing disability-related services on the job in order to maintain employment.
(b) The employment opportunities program shall provide extended services, as defined in 34 CFR 361.5(b)(19), that are necessary for individuals with the most significant disabilities to maintain supported employment. Such services shall include coaching and other related services that allow participants to obt