The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes by appropriating a total of $50,000,000 from the state General Fund and $82,201,000 in Medicaid Expenditure Authority for the Department of Economic Security (DES) for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Specifically, it would allocate $46,000,000 for reimbursement rate increases for home and community-based services (HCBS) and an additional $4,000,000 for room and board services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The bill mandates that DES provide these reimbursement rate increases to ensure that each service receives an increase, and it requires DES to engage with community stakeholders before implementing these rate changes.

Additionally, the bill introduces several reporting and data collection requirements. DES must report the increased provider rates to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) by September 1 each year and implement the increases by October 1. It also requires DES to conduct a nationally recognized survey of the direct support professional workforce for HCBS and report findings to the JLBC after three years of data collection. The JLBC is tasked with reviewing this data to assess improvements in workforce metrics, with the authority to recommend withholding future appropriations if no improvements are observed. The bill expresses the legislature's intent for these appropriations to be considered ongoing funding in future years.