This bill establishes the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board within the Department of Health in Alaska. The board will consist of various members, including commissioners from health and labor, and eight appointed members representing covered providers, direct care workers, enrollees, and other relevant organizations. The board's responsibilities include advising on payment rates for personal care services, investigating workforce conditions, and producing a biennial report with findings and recommendations regarding service levels, working conditions, and compensation for direct care workers. The board will meet at least three times a year and will be required to provide public testimony during meetings.

Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies providing home and community-based services pay a specified percentage of their funding for personal care services as compensation to their employees, starting at 70% in 2026 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 Medicaid state plan to implement these changes. The effective date of the compensation requirements is contingent upon approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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