IL HB5784

Department of Healthcare and Family Services must establish and administer a Certified Family Health Aide Program by January 1, 2026, allowing legally responsible family caregivers or family members to receive training from licensed home health agencies on private duty nursing services.

Legally responsible family caregivers or family members (parents, guardians, or adult siblings age 18+) who complete training and meet competency requirements may become certified family health aides and provide private duty nursing services to qualifying family members under Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefits or home and community-based services waivers for medically fragile and technology dependent children.

Certified family health aides must complete training in 11 specified tasks including patient care transfers, positioning, feeding, medication administration, enteral care, and meal/formula preparation, plus an additional 10 hours of hands-on training, following federal guidelines under 42 CFR 484.80.

Reimbursement rate for certified family health aide services shall be no lower than $40.00 per hour; participating agencies that employ family caregivers prior to certification must pay all training costs, and family members cannot be required to reimburse training expenses.

Department must meet monthly with participating agencies during implementation, submit a report to Governor and General Assembly within 3 years of implementation, and establish a permanent committee meeting at least quarterly with agencies, family health aides, and families regarding the program.