The "Quality Self-Directed Supports Act of 2025" is designed to improve personal care services for developmentally disabled adults in Rhode Island by addressing the workforce shortage of trained self-directed direct support professionals. The bill proposes to increase wages and benefits for these professionals, thereby enhancing recruitment and retention efforts. It introduces collective bargaining rights specifically for self-directed personal care services, while ensuring that the authority of the director of the department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities, and hospitals remains intact. Key insertions in the bill include new definitions for "Developmental disability organizations," "fiscal intermediary," and "self-directed direct support professional," as well as provisions that clarify the rights of participants to manage their care and select their support professionals.

Additionally, the bill establishes a structured framework for self-directed supports, including the creation of a new chapter in Title 40.1 that outlines the roles of various stakeholders and mandates training for self-directed direct support professionals. It allows for the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements while ensuring that any economic aspects are subject to legislative appropriation. The act also emphasizes the rights of families to direct services and prohibits strikes by support professionals. Importantly, it includes a state action exemption from antitrust laws for the activities of these professionals and their representatives, ensuring that collective bargaining does not negatively impact Medicaid funding or self-directed personal care services. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance service access and support for adults with developmental disabilities while maintaining participant autonomy.