HF 3157 Summary

• Modifies the base wage index calculation for employment exploration services staff by replacing "rehabilitation counselor (SOC code 21-1015)" with "education, guidance, school, and vocational counselors (SOC code 21-1012)" while maintaining the 50 percent weighting and 50 percent community and social services specialist (SOC code 21-1099) weighting.

• Establishes Commissioner of Human Services authority to update base wage index values based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data on January 1, 2022, November 1, 2024, and every two years thereafter starting July 1, 2026.

• Requires Commissioner to update framework component values biennially for changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) using the same update schedule.

• Mandates that at least 80 percent of marginal revenue increases from rate adjustments between January 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024, be used for direct employee compensation including wages, benefits, taxes, and workforce retention/recruitment bonuses.

• Requires providers receiving affected rates to prepare and post distribution plans specifying how increased revenue will be allocated to employee compensation-related costs within 60 days of implementation.

• Effective date is January 1, 2023, or upon federal approval, whichever is later.