This bill aims to enhance payment rates for personal care assistants (PCAs) and community first services and supports (CFSS) professionals by establishing professional competency and shift wage differentials. It modifies existing statutes to introduce new enhanced payment rates based on the number of hours of service provided, with specific percentages for different service levels. For instance, PCAs providing services for ten to 14.9 hours per day will receive 107.5% of the standard rate, while those providing 20 or more hours will receive 117.5%. Additionally, the bill mandates that all additional revenue from these enhanced rates must be allocated solely for the wages of the personal care assistants and prohibits its use for other employee benefits.

The bill also includes provisions for a temporary rate increase for personal care assistance, appropriating funds for this purpose. It amends several sections of Minnesota Statutes to clarify the requirements for personal care assistants and support workers, including training and background checks. Furthermore, it specifies that the enhanced rates do not alter the terms of individual providers and are not subject to collective bargaining obligations. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2025, or upon federal approval, whichever comes later.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.0659, 256B.85