The "Damon Leivestad Direct Care Sustainability Act" aims to enhance the Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) program by modifying payment rates and eligibility criteria. The bill introduces new enhanced payment rates based on the number of hours of CFSS provided, with specific percentages for different service levels. It also establishes professional competency requirements for support workers and allows for reimbursement of CFSS provided in acute care hospital settings. Notably, the bill eliminates asset limits for former recipients of medical assistance for employed persons with disabilities aged 65 and older, as well as medical assistance premiums for employed persons with disabilities, thereby increasing financial flexibility for these individuals.

Key amendments include the establishment of new payment methodologies and the calculation of base wage component values based on median wages for specific occupational classifications. The commissioner of human services is required to use Minnesota-specific median wages published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, a worker retention component based on the cumulative hours worked by personal care assistance workers will influence payment rates. The bill ensures that reimbursed services during acute care hospital stays are part of an individual's person-centered support plan and do not replace hospital obligations. Most provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, or upon federal approval, with the commissioner responsible for notifying the revisor of statutes when federal approval is obtained.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.056, 256B.057, 256B.85, 256B.851