MS HB29

Appropriates $33,684,645.00 from the State General Fund and $227,773,395.00 from special funds to the Department of Rehabilitation Services for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).

Allocates $3,681,802.00 from the Health Care Expendable Fund with $2,826,899.00 for matching federal funds and $854,903.00 for the Independent Living Program and State Attendant Care Program.

Authorizes $66,120,690.00 total for personal services including $63,314,655.00 for employee salaries and fringe benefits, with 875 permanent and 201 time-limited authorized headcount positions.

Provides $4,856,932.00 for increases in hourly wages for Personal Care Assistants and $1,563,039.00 for the Spinal Cord & Head Injury Trust from general fund court assessments.

Directs agency to maintain funding for up to 4,100 slots in Home and Community Based Waiver programs and requires reporting on specified performance measures including disability determination dispositions, vocational rehabilitation outcomes, and special disability program metrics.