SB 2931

Abstract

Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. In a provision concerning the Department of Human Services' Home Services Program, provides that personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers (rather than personal assistants) shall be paid at a rate negotiated between the State and the (rather than an) exclusive representative of personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers (rather than personal assistants) under a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that beginning on July 1, 2016, the hourly rate paid to personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers shall be no less than $15 per hour. Requires personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers to participate in a comprehensive in-person orientation, including standardized instruction or education as determined by the Department, concerning their obligations as an Individual Provider of Medicaid services, fraud training, and training on independent living philosophies. Requires personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers to attend annual in-person training, including training in preventing fraud and abuse. Provides that personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers shall be paid their regular hourly wage for all orientation and training hours. Requires the State to contribute into a Taft-Hartley health fund for the purpose of providing health insurance to qualified personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers. Provides that for State fiscal year 2017, the rate shall be $1.11 per hour paid to personal assistants and individual maintenance home health workers and that for future fiscal years, the rate shall be adjusted as determined by actuarial analysis. Effective July 1, 2016.