2014 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 46 - Public Welfare and Assistance
RS 46:1722 - Definitions

§1722. Definitions

As used in this Chapter, the following terms have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section:

(1) "ABLE Account" means a special savings account for financing of certain qualified expenses of persons with disabilities as specifically provided in this Chapter.

(2) "ABLE Account Program" and "program" mean the special savings account program provided for in this Chapter.

(3) "Authority" means the ABLE Account Authority created by this Chapter to administer the ABLE Account Program.

(4) "Beneficiary" means the ABLE Account owner or the person entitled to apply the savings accrued in an ABLE Account, if not the account owner.

(5) "Department" means the Department of Health and Hospitals.

(6) "Person with a disability" means a person who meets either of the following criteria:

(a) Has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which results in marked and severe functional limitations, and which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months.

(b) Is blind.

(7) "Qualified disability expense" means any expense made for the benefit of a person with a disability who is a designated beneficiary as defined and specifically provided for in rules and regulations of the authority. Qualified disability expenses may include, without limitation, the following:

(a) Assistive technology and personal support service expenses for devices and services that facilitate maintenance of health, independence, and quality of life.

(b) Education expenses, including tuition for preschool through postsecondary education, which shall include higher education expenses and expenses for books, supplies, and educational materials related to preschool and secondary education, tutors, and special education services.

(c) Employment support expenses related to obtaining and maintaining employment, including job-related training, assistive technology, and personal assistance supports.

(d) Health, prevention, and wellness expenses including but not limited to the following, provided that the equipment and services listed in this Subparagraph conform with any applicable rules and regulations of the Department of Health and Hospitals and the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services program of the Louisiana Workforce Commission:

(i) Premiums for health insurance.

(ii) Medical, vision, dental, and mental healthcare expenses.

(iii) Habilitation and rehabilitation services.

(iv) Durable medical equipment.

(v) Therapy.

(vi) Respite care.

(vii) Long-term services and supports.

(viii) Nutritional management.

(ix) Communication services and devices, adaptive equipment, and assistive technology.

(x) Personal assistance.

(e) Housing expenses for a primary residence, including rent, purchase of a primary residence or an interest in a primary residence, mortgage payments, real property taxes, and utility charges.

(f) Miscellaneous expenses, including expenses for financial management and administrative services; legal fees; expenses for oversight; monitoring; home improvements, modifications, maintenance, and repairs at primary residence; and funeral and burial expenses.

(g) Transportation expenses, including the use of mass transit, the purchase or modification of vehicles, and moving expenses.

(h) Any other expenses which are consistent with the purposes of this Chapter, approved by the authority, and provided for in duly promulgated administrative rules.

Acts 2014, No. 93, §2.