Senate Bill No. 1481 aims to prohibit discrimination in services funded under Medicaid by requiring providers to agree, in writing, not to discriminate against individuals whose rights are protected under the state's human rights statutes, as a condition for receiving Medicaid reimbursement. The bill specifies that the Commissioner of Social Services has the authority to withhold Medicaid payments from any provider found to have engaged in discrimination, although it does not clarify which entity will be responsible for making such determinations.

The bill introduces new legal language that mandates this written agreement from providers and establishes the potential for withholding payments as a consequence of non-compliance. It also indicates that the Department of Social Services may experience potential savings due to lower Medicaid payments if providers fail to meet the bill's requirements. The act is set to take effect upon passage, and it aligns with existing practices that require compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws for Medicaid providers.