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IL HB4449

IL HB4449
DHFS-DHS-DIRECT SUPPORT WAGE


summary

Introduced
01/15/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for frontline personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Provides that for community-based providers serving persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities, subject to federal approval of any relevant Waiver Amendment, the rates taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include an increase in the rate methodology sufficient to provide a $1.20 per hour wage rate increase for all direct support professionals and all other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases and who work in residential and community day services settings. Prohibits community-based providers from using the rate increases for operational or administrative expenses. Requires rate increases that are sufficient to provide wages for all residential non-executive direct care staff. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the rates for ID/DD and MC/DD facilities for services delivered on or after January 1, 2027 shall include a $1.20 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and other frontline personnel who are not subject to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases. Provides that changes to the rate methodologies are subject to federal approval. Grants emergency rulemaking authority to the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services to implement the rate increases. Effective immediately.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that by January 1, 2027, the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) must establish reimbursement rates for community-based providers serving individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities that include a $1.20 per hour wage increase for all direct support professionals and other frontline personnel, excluding those whose wages are already adjusted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics' average wage increases. These rate increases are specifically for wages and cannot be used for operational or administrative expenses, and they must also ensure that all residential non-executive direct care staff receive wages at or above the federal Department of Labor's average wage. The bill also grants emergency rulemaking authority to DHS and DHFS to quickly implement these changes, which are contingent upon federal approval of any necessary waiver amendments.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

House Appropriations-Health and Human Services Committee Hearing (08:00:00 2/26/2026 114 and Virtual Room 1) (on 02/26/2026)

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