The bill establishes a Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Working Group under Chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024, which is tasked with reviewing the PCA program's scope of services and eligibility criteria. This group will consist of representatives from various organizations, including the executive office of health and human services, labor unions, and advocacy groups. The working group is required to evaluate program oversight, workforce supply, cost growth, and other components of the PCA program, with a mandate to submit recommendations for long-term sustainability and cost containment by March 7, 2025. Among the initial recommendations identified by the group are enforcing an overtime cap, addressing fraudulent activities, and eliminating unnecessary paperwork, which could collectively reduce spending in the PCA program by approximately $7.4 million.

The bill emphasizes the importance of maintaining adequate funding for the PCA program, which supports individuals with disabilities and aging adults, while also advocating for judicious cost containment measures. It opposes a firm growth cap on the PCA program, arguing that such a measure would not adequately address the increasing demand for services. Key recommendations include enforcing a cap on PCA overtime at 66 hours and eliminating unnecessary administrative tasks, which could save the state about $1 million annually. The bill also suggests evaluating a growth benchmark tailored to the PCA program's specific needs and encourages collaboration with stakeholders to identify areas for efficiency improvements, ultimately aiming to ensure the program remains a viable and cost-effective option for community-based long-term care.