Substitute Bill No. 5053 Summary

• Transitions regional emergency medical services coordinator positions from unclassified to classified service status effective June 30, 2024, with employees added to existing executive branch bargaining units.

• Requires Department of Developmental Services to reduce Medicaid waiver waiting lists and file annual reports by January 1, 2024 and thereafter, including data on wait times, residential care needs, employment outcomes, and unmet service needs.

• Requires Department of Social Services to expand the Medicaid waiver program for persons with autism spectrum disorder and file annual reports on waiting list data, residential care, and service gaps.

• Establishes requirements for Department of Developmental Services to maintain state-wide comprehensive residential waiting lists by geographic region and conduct annual assessments of individuals' needs for future residential services.

• Directs the Chief Workforce Officer to establish a Human Services Career Pipeline program that includes training, certification, job placement and retention incentives for providers serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.