(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Home and community based services programs” mean the programs established under the state medical assistance program under plans or waivers as defined in the federal social security act in accordance with the plans or waivers adopted by the secretary for aging and disability services to provide attendant care services to individuals in need of in-home care who would require admission to an institution if the attendant care services were not otherwise provided.

(2) “Secretary” means the secretary for aging and disability services.

(b) The secretary as part of the home and community based services programs, subject to social security act grant requirements, shall provide that:

(1) Priority recipients of attendant care services shall be those individuals in need of in-home care who are at the greatest risk of being placed in an institutional setting;

(2) individuals in need of in-home care who are recipients of attendant care services and the parents or guardians of individuals who are minors at least 16 years of age and who are in need of in-home care shall have the right to choose the option to make decisions about, direct the provisions of and control the attendant care services received by such individuals including, but not limited to, selecting, training, managing, paying and dismissing of an attendant;

(3) any proposals to provide attendant care services solicited by the secretary shall be selected based on service priorities developed by the secretary, except that priority shall be given to proposals that will serve those at greatest risk of being placed in an institution as determined by the secretary;

(4) providers, where appropriate, shall include individuals in need of in-home care in the planning, startup, delivery and administration of attendant care services and the training of personal care attendants; and

(5) within the limits of appropriations therefor, the home and community based services programs shall serve eligible individuals in need of in-home care throughout this state.

(c) Within the limits of appropriations therefor, the secretary may initiate demonstration projects to test new ways of providing attendant care services and may conduct specific research into ways to best provide attendant care services in both urban and rural environments.