SC H4464

Establishes minimum compensation requirements for direct care workers providing personal care services through Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs in South Carolina

Requires HCBS provider agencies to use at least 70% of Medicaid reimbursement as compensation to direct care workers by January 1, 2026, increasing to 75% by January 1, 2028, and 80% by January 1, 2030

Defines "compensation" to include wages, overtime, health/dental/life/disability insurance, paid leave, retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and employer payroll taxes

Allows providers to deduct costs for training, travel, and personal protective equipment before calculating the required wage pass-through percentage

Mandates that HCBS provider agencies attest and verify compliance with wage pass-through requirements to the Department of Health and Human Services, maintaining documentation available upon request