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 and representatives from covered providers, direct care workers, and enrollees receiving covered services. The board's responsibilities include advising on payment rates for personal care services, investigating workforce conditions, and preparing a biennial report on the adequacy of wages and working conditions for direct care workers. The board will meet at least three times a year and will have the authority to request data and testimony from state agencies.

Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies providing home and community-based services must allocate a specified percentage of their funding for personal care services to employee compensation and benefits, 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 state Medicaid 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