Bill > S2845

Introduced Session

This bill increases pay for direct support professionals and makes and appropriation. Under the bill, the Department of Human Services is to establish a direct support professional funding program to distribute monies to employers of direct support professionals in an amount that is necessary to address direct support professional staffing challenges in this State, as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services. The monies are to be used by the employers to increase the pay of existing or new employees who are direct support professionals. The Commissioner of Human Services is to establish an application process, guidelines, and compliance standards for the direct support professional funding program. Direct support professionals provide critical services and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Direct support professionals support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their own homes, family homes, provider-managed residences and programs, in the community, and workplaces. They support individuals with the activities related to daily living, including personal care, health and well-being, behavioral and mental health, relationship building, home and community participation, achievement of goals, and a variety of other individual needs. An increase in pay for direct support professionals is well-deserved and will help to address staffing challenges for employers who are struggling to hire and retain direct support professionals.

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Angela Mcknight (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document