Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §7301, sub-§2, ķA, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 511, §1, is amended to read:

A. To increase the availability of make in-home and community support services for available to adults with long-term care needs;

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §7303, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 511, §1, is amended to read:

1. Adults with long-term care needs. "Adults with long-term care needs" means adults who have physical or mental limitations which that restrict their ability to carry out activities of daily living and impede their ability to live independently, or who are at risk of being, or who already have been, placed inappropriately in an institutional setting, and who meet criteria for medical and financial eligibility adopted by the department through rulemaking.

Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §7303, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 511, §1, is amended to read:

1. Programs required. The department shall establish and administer, pursuant to this subtitle, programs of in-home and community support services for adults with long-term care needs, by itself or in cooperation with the Federal Government.

An adult with long-term care needs, who applies for services under any such program, is entitled to receive the services, provided that if the department has determined that the adult is eligible and provided that sufficient funds are available pursuant to this subtitle to pay for the services under rules adopted by the department.

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §7305, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1981, c. 511, §1, is amended to read:

4. Distribution. The department shall disburse funds, pursuant to this subtitle, in a manner that ensures, to the extent practicable, equitable distribution of services among adults with long-term care needs and among the various regions of the State to all applicants who meet the medical and financial eligibility requirements adopted by the department pursuant to its rule-making authority.

Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §7305, sub-§5 is enacted to read: