Bill > S1325

This bill aims to modernize wage rates for direct care workers in human services by establishing new guidelines for compensation and rate-setting. The legislation defines different categories of direct care staff, including front-line workers and those with supervisory responsibilities, and requires that their wage rates be set at a minimum of the 75th percentile according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The bill mandates that state agencies, when awarding contracts for human services programs, must submit job lists to the Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine appropriate wage rates. These rates must include comprehensive calculations for fringe benefits, payroll taxes, retirement contributions, and other employer-mandated costs. Importantly, the bill specifies that salary increases should proportionally apply to front-line supervisors and other direct care professionals, but explicitly exclude executive-level positions like CEOs and CFOs. The legislation also ensures that implementing these wage rate changes will not result in reductions or non-payments of other social service program costs. Starting July 1, 2025, the executive office of health and human services will begin an 8-month planning process to justify and implement the 75th percentile wage rate methodology, with the overall goal of attracting and retaining qualified direct care workers by providing more competitive compensation.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1325