This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes by appropriating funds to the Department of Economic Security for reimbursement rate increases related to home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Specifically, it would allocate $46 million from the state general fund and $84.2 million in Medicaid expenditure authority for each of the fiscal years 2026-2031, as well as an additional $4 million from the state general fund for room and board services during the same period. The bill mandates that the department engage with community stakeholders before implementing these rate increases and requires a report to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on the adopted provider rates by September 1 each fiscal year.

Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for the Department of Economic Security to conduct a nationally recognized survey of its qualified vendors to gather data on the direct support professional workforce, including metrics such as employment length, turnover, and vacancy rates. This data will be reported to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee after three years of collection, which will assess whether improvements have been made. If no improvements are observed, the committee may recommend withholding future funding appropriated for fiscal years 2029-2031. The bill also expresses the legislature's intent for these appropriations to be considered ongoing funding in subsequent years.