AK HB96

Establishes the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board within the Department of Health, consisting of 10 members including representatives of care providers, direct care workers, service enrollees, seniors, and people with disabilities

Board must meet at least 3 times annually to advise on Medicaid payment rates for personal care, habilitation, chore, and respite services, and investigate workforce wages, working conditions, recruitment, and retention issues

Requires biennial reports to the legislature with findings and recommendations on rate adequacy, working conditions, workforce barriers (especially in areas off the road system), and reducing reliance on unpaid family caregivers

Mandates agencies providing personal care services pay at least 70% of Medicaid funding to employee compensation/benefits starting July 1, 2026, increasing to 80% by July 1, 2030 (with hardship exemptions available for small providers)

Department of Health must publish annual reports on weighted average and median hourly wages by agency for covered service workers; first board meeting required by October 1, 2026