The bill establishes the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board within the Department of Health in Alaska, aimed at improving the standards and compensation for personal care services. The board will consist of various members, including commissioners from health and labor, as well as representatives from covered providers, direct care workers, and enrollees receiving services. The board is tasked with advising on payment rates for covered services, investigating workforce conditions, and producing a biennial report with recommendations for improving service quality and worker compensation.

Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies providing home and community-based services must allocate a specified percentage of their funding towards employee compensation, starting at 70% in 2027 and increasing to 80% by 2030. There are provisions for hardship exemptions for small providers, allowing them to pay a lower percentage under certain conditions. The bill also outlines the process for the board's first meeting and the necessary amendments to the state Medicaid plan to implement these changes, with the effective date set for July 1, 2027, contingent upon federal approval of the state plan amendments.

Statutes affected:
HB0096A, AM HB 96, introduced 02/12/2025: 44.29.600, 44.29.910, 44.29.905, 44.29.915, 44.29.920, 44.29.925, 39.20.180, 44.29.930, 44.29.935, 44.29.940, 44.29.945, 44.29.900, U.S.C, 47.07.030, 47.07.045
HB0096B, AM CSHB 96(HSS), introduced 04/09/2025: 44.29.600, 44.29.910, 44.29.905, 44.29.915, 44.29.920, 44.29.925, 39.20.180, 44.29.930, 44.29.935, 44.29.940, 44.29.945, 44.29.900, U.S.C, 47.07.030, 47.07.045
HB0096C, AM CSHB 96(L&C), introduced 04/25/2025: 44.29.600, 44.29.910, 44.29.905, 44.29.915, 44.29.920, 44.29.925, 39.20.180, 44.29.930, 44.29.935, 44.29.940, 44.29.945, 44.29.900, U.S.C, 47.07.030, 47.07.045
HB0096D, AM CSHB 96(L&C) am, introduced 04/27/2026: 44.29.600, 44.29.910, 44.29.905, 44.29.915, 44.29.920, 44.29.925, 39.20.180, 44.29.930, 44.29.935, 44.29.940, 44.29.945, 44.29.900, U.S.C, 47.07.030, 47.07.045
HB0096Z, AM Enrolled HB 96, introduced 05/19/2026: 44.29.600, 44.29.910, 44.29.905, 44.29.915, 44.29.920, 44.29.925, 39.20.180, 44.29.930, 44.29.935, 44.29.940, 44.29.945, 44.29.900, U.S.C, 47.07.030, 47.07.045