HB5380 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging to modify the Community Care Program, which provides services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of persons age 60 and older in need of long-term care or with Alzheimer's disease.

• Establishes minimum wage requirements for home care aides and personal assistants, with rates increased to $18.84 per hour effective July 1, 2014, with at least a $1.00 per hour increase for homemaker service employees.

• Provides an enhanced rate of $1.77 per hour for State fiscal year 2015 for in-home service providers that offer health insurance coverage to direct service workers.

• Creates a Community Care Program Advisory Committee to advise the Department on program issues, including representation from providers, advocacy groups, unions, area agencies on aging, and older adults.

• Requires the Department to implement various program improvements including evening and weekend service availability, accurate service authorization, electronic service verification using GPS technology by January 1, 2014, and Medicaid enrollment coordination.