The proposed bill, SB1585, seeks to appropriate a total of $15 million from the state General Fund for fiscal year 2025 to the Department of Economic Security (DES) for reimbursement rate increases for providers of home and community-based services (HCBS) and room and board services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Specifically, it allocates $13 million for HCBS and $2 million for room and board services. The bill emphasizes that these appropriations should be considered ongoing funding in future years.

Additionally, the bill mandates that DES must engage with community stakeholders before implementing the reimbursement rate increases for HCBS, excluding nursing and therapy services. It requires DES to report the increased provider rates to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by September 1, 2024, and to implement these rates by October 1, 2024. This new language introduces specific requirements for stakeholder engagement and reporting timelines, which are not present in the current law.