Bill > S04837

This bill establishes a direct support wage enhancement program for employees providing care to individuals with developmental disabilities, effective April 1, 2025. The program will provide supplemental funding to providers licensed or certified by the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to help increase wages for direct care workers earning less than $125,000 annually. The OPWDD commissioner, in consultation with the Division of the Budget, will create a list of eligible job titles that involve direct care for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Employers will need to report the number of eligible employees using forms developed by the OPWDD, and the agency will then distribute $4,000 per eligible employee to the providers. These funds must be specifically used to enhance the base wages and benefits of the qualifying employees, with the goal of supporting and retaining direct care workers in the developmental disabilities service sector.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4837