AZ SB1302

Appropriates $46,000,000 from the state general fund and $84,201,000 in Medicaid expenditure authority annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 through 2029-2030 to the Department of Economic Security for reimbursement rate increases for home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Appropriates $4,000,000 from the state general fund annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 through 2029-2030 for reimbursement rate increases for room and board services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Requires the department to engage community stakeholders regarding rate increase plans before implementation and report adopted rates to the joint legislative budget committee by September 1 of each fiscal year, with implementation by October 1.

Mandates the department issue a nationally recognized survey to qualified vendors to collect data on direct support professional workforce metrics including length of employment, turnover rates, and vacancy rates, with findings reported to the joint legislative budget committee after three years of data collection.

Allows the joint legislative budget committee to recommend withholding appropriated funding for fiscal years 2028-2029 and 2029-2030 if improvements in direct support professional workforce metrics have not occurred.