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.
To prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who 
     need long-term services and supports, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 
2021''.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS AND RULE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this Act:
            (1) Activities of daily living.--The term ``activities of 
        daily living'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        441.505 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
        successor regulation).
            (2) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means--
                    (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'', when 
        used in reference to services or supports, means services or 
        supports that are provided to an individual with an LTSS 
        disability to enable that individual to live in the community 
        and lead an independent life, and that are delivered in 
        whichever setting the individual with an LTSS disability has 
        chosen out of the following settings with the following 
        qualities:
                    (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'' has the meaning given 
        the term in section 802 of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
        3602).
            (5) Health-related tasks.--The term ``health-related 
        tasks'' means specific nonacute tasks, typically regulated by 
        States as medical or nursing tasks that an individual with a 
        disability may require to live in the community, including--
                    (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'' means an individual who is a person with a 
        disability, as defined in section 3 of the Americans with 
        Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
            (7) Individual with an ltss disability.--The term 
        ``individual with an LTSS disability'' means an individual with 
        a disability who--
                    (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'' means--
                    (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))) or that provides in-patient psychiatric 
                services in a residential setting specified by the 
                Secretary;
                    (F) an institution described in section 1905(i) of 
                such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(i)); and
                    (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'' means one or more activities related 
                to living independently in the community, including 
                activities related to--
                            (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'' used with 
                respect to instrumental activities of daily living, 
                includes support provided to an individual by another 
                person due to confusion, dementia, behavioral symptoms, 
                or cognitive, intellectual, mental, or emotional 
                disabilities, including support to--
                            (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'' and ``LTSS'' mean the assistance provided 
        to an individual with a disability in accomplishing, acquiring 
        the means or ability to accomplish, maintaining, or enhancing--
                    (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'' means a public or private entity that--
                    (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'' means 
                an entity that--
                            (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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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)), except 
                that--
                            (i) the reference to ``at the State level'' 
                        shall be disregarded; and
                            (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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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)); and
            (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)).
                                 <all>
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021
A bill to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and supports, and for other purposes.
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2021
Sen. Bennet, Michael F.