104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB0120 Introduced 1/17/2025, by Sen. Celina Villanueva SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 105/4.02 Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. As a condition of their eligibility for the $32.75 in-home services rate, requires in-home services providers to (i) certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers and (ii) submit cost reports. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires the Department to adopt rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs. Authorizes the Department to sanction a provider that fails to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB0120 Introduced 1/17/2025, by Sen. Celina Villanueva SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 105/4.02 20 ILCS 105/4.02 Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. As a condition of their eligibility for the $32.75 in-home services rate, requires in-home services providers to (i) certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers and (ii) submit cost reports. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires the Department to adopt rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs. Authorizes the Department to sanction a provider that fails to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB0120 Introduced 1/17/2025, by Sen. Celina Villanueva SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 105/4.02 20 ILCS 105/4.02 20 ILCS 105/4.02 Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. As a condition of their eligibility for the $32.75 in-home services rate, requires in-home services providers to (i) certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers and (ii) submit cost reports. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires the Department to adopt rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs. Authorizes the Department to sanction a provider that fails to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b A BILL FOR SB0120LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 AN ACT concerning State government. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Illinois Act on the Aging is amended by 5 changing Section 4.02 as follows: 6 (20 ILCS 105/4.02) 7 Sec. 4.02. Community Care Program. The Department shall 8 establish a program of services to prevent unnecessary 9 institutionalization of persons age 60 and older in need of 10 long term care or who are established as persons who suffer 11 from Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder under the 12 Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Act, thereby enabling them to 13 remain in their own homes or in other living arrangements. 14 Such preventive services, which may be coordinated with other 15 programs for the aged, may include, but are not limited to, any 16 or all of the following: 17 (a) (blank); 18 (b) (blank); 19 (c) home care aide services; 20 (d) personal assistant services; 21 (e) adult day services; 22 (f) home-delivered meals; 23 (g) education in self-care; 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 SB0120 Introduced 1/17/2025, by Sen. Celina Villanueva SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 105/4.02 20 ILCS 105/4.02 20 ILCS 105/4.02 Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. As a condition of their eligibility for the $32.75 in-home services rate, requires in-home services providers to (i) certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers and (ii) submit cost reports. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires the Department to adopt rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs. Authorizes the Department to sanction a provider that fails to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b A BILL FOR 20 ILCS 105/4.02 LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 2 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 2 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 2 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 (h) personal care services; 2 (i) adult day health services; 3 (j) habilitation services; 4 (k) respite care; 5 (k-5) community reintegration services; 6 (k-6) flexible senior services; 7 (k-7) medication management; 8 (k-8) emergency home response; 9 (l) other nonmedical social services that may enable 10 the person to become self-supporting; or 11 (m) (blank). 12 The Department shall establish eligibility standards for 13 such services. In determining the amount and nature of 14 services for which a person may qualify, consideration shall 15 not be given to the value of cash, property, or other assets 16 held in the name of the person's spouse pursuant to a written 17 agreement dividing marital property into equal but separate 18 shares or pursuant to a transfer of the person's interest in a 19 home to his spouse, provided that the spouse's share of the 20 marital property is not made available to the person seeking 21 such services. 22 The Department shall require as a condition of eligibility 23 that all new financially eligible applicants apply for and 24 enroll in medical assistance under Article V of the Illinois 25 Public Aid Code in accordance with rules promulgated by the 26 Department. SB0120 - 2 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 3 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 3 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 3 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 The Department shall, in conjunction with the Department 2 of Public Aid (now Department of Healthcare and Family 3 Services), seek appropriate amendments under Sections 1915 and 4 1924 of the Social Security Act. The purpose of the amendments 5 shall be to extend eligibility for home and community based 6 services under Sections 1915 and 1924 of the Social Security 7 Act to persons who transfer to or for the benefit of a spouse 8 those amounts of income and resources allowed under Section 9 1924 of the Social Security Act. Subject to the approval of 10 such amendments, the Department shall extend the provisions of 11 Section 5-4 of the Illinois Public Aid Code to persons who, but 12 for the provision of home or community-based services, would 13 require the level of care provided in an institution, as is 14 provided for in federal law. Those persons no longer found to 15 be eligible for receiving noninstitutional services due to 16 changes in the eligibility criteria shall be given 45 days 17 notice prior to actual termination. Those persons receiving 18 notice of termination may contact the Department and request 19 the determination be appealed at any time during the 45 day 20 notice period. The target population identified for the 21 purposes of this Section are persons age 60 and older with an 22 identified service need. Priority shall be given to those who 23 are at imminent risk of institutionalization. The services 24 shall be provided to eligible persons age 60 and older to the 25 extent that the cost of the services together with the other 26 personal maintenance expenses of the persons are reasonably SB0120 - 3 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 4 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 4 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 4 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 related to the standards established for care in a group 2 facility appropriate to the person's condition. These 3 noninstitutional non-institutional services, pilot projects, 4 or experimental facilities may be provided as part of or in 5 addition to those authorized by federal law or those funded 6 and administered by the Department of Human Services. The 7 Departments of Human Services, Healthcare and Family Services, 8 Public Health, Veterans' Affairs, and Commerce and Economic 9 Opportunity and other appropriate agencies of State, federal, 10 and local governments shall cooperate with the Department on 11 Aging in the establishment and development of the 12 noninstitutional non-institutional services. The Department 13 shall require an annual audit from all personal assistant and 14 home care aide vendors contracting with the Department under 15 this Section. The annual audit shall assure that each audited 16 vendor's procedures are in compliance with Department's 17 financial reporting guidelines requiring an administrative and 18 employee wage and benefits cost split as defined in 19 administrative rules. The audit is a public record under the 20 Freedom of Information Act. The Department shall execute, 21 relative to the nursing home prescreening project, written 22 inter-agency agreements with the Department of Human Services 23 and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, to 24 effect the following: (1) intake procedures and common 25 eligibility criteria for those persons who are receiving 26 noninstitutional non-institutional services; and (2) the SB0120 - 4 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 5 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 5 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 5 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 establishment and development of noninstitutional 2 non-institutional services in areas of the State where they 3 are not currently available or are undeveloped. On and after 4 July 1, 1996, all nursing home prescreenings for individuals 5 60 years of age or older shall be conducted by the Department. 6 As part of the Department on Aging's routine training of 7 case managers and case manager supervisors, the Department may 8 include information on family futures planning for persons who 9 are age 60 or older and who are caregivers of their adult 10 children with developmental disabilities. The content of the 11 training shall be at the Department's discretion. 12 The Department is authorized to establish a system of 13 recipient copayment for services provided under this Section, 14 such copayment to be based upon the recipient's ability to pay 15 but in no case to exceed the actual cost of the services 16 provided. Additionally, any portion of a person's income which 17 is equal to or less than the federal poverty standard shall not 18 be considered by the Department in determining the copayment. 19 The level of such copayment shall be adjusted whenever 20 necessary to reflect any change in the officially designated 21 federal poverty standard. 22 The Department, or the Department's authorized 23 representative, may recover the amount of moneys expended for 24 services provided to or in behalf of a person under this 25 Section by a claim against the person's estate or against the 26 estate of the person's surviving spouse, but no recovery may SB0120 - 5 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 6 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 6 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 6 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 be had until after the death of the surviving spouse, if any, 2 and then only at such time when there is no surviving child who 3 is under age 21 or blind or who has a permanent and total 4 disability. This paragraph, however, shall not bar recovery, 5 at the death of the person, of moneys for services provided to 6 the person or in behalf of the person under this Section to 7 which the person was not entitled; provided that such recovery 8 shall not be enforced against any real estate while it is 9 occupied as a homestead by the surviving spouse or other 10 dependent, if no claims by other creditors have been filed 11 against the estate, or, if such claims have been filed, they 12 remain dormant for failure of prosecution or failure of the 13 claimant to compel administration of the estate for the 14 purpose of payment. This paragraph shall not bar recovery from 15 the estate of a spouse, under Sections 1915 and 1924 of the 16 Social Security Act and Section 5-4 of the Illinois Public Aid 17 Code, who precedes a person receiving services under this 18 Section in death. All moneys for services paid to or in behalf 19 of the person under this Section shall be claimed for recovery 20 from the deceased spouse's estate. "Homestead", as used in 21 this paragraph, means the dwelling house and contiguous real 22 estate occupied by a surviving spouse or relative, as defined 23 by the rules and regulations of the Department of Healthcare 24 and Family Services, regardless of the value of the property. 25 The Department shall increase the effectiveness of the 26 existing Community Care Program by: SB0120 - 6 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 7 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 7 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 7 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 (1) ensuring that in-home services included in the 2 care plan are available on evenings and weekends; 3 (2) ensuring that care plans contain the services that 4 eligible participants need based on the number of days in 5 a month, not limited to specific blocks of time, as 6 identified by the comprehensive assessment tool selected 7 by the Department for use statewide, not to exceed the 8 total monthly service cost maximum allowed for each 9 service; the Department shall develop administrative rules 10 to implement this item (2); 11 (3) ensuring that the participants have the right to 12 choose the services contained in their care plan and to 13 direct how those services are provided, based on 14 administrative rules established by the Department; 15 (4)(blank); 16 (5) ensuring that homemakers can provide personal care 17 services that may or may not involve contact with clients, 18 including, but not limited to: 19 (A) bathing; 20 (B) grooming; 21 (C) toileting; 22 (D) nail care; 23 (E) transferring; 24 (F) respiratory services; 25 (G) exercise; or 26 (H) positioning; SB0120 - 7 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 8 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 8 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 8 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 (6) ensuring that homemaker program vendors are not 2 restricted from hiring homemakers who are family members 3 of clients or recommended by clients; the Department may 4 not, by rule or policy, require homemakers who are family 5 members of clients or recommended by clients to accept 6 assignments in homes other than the client; 7 (7) ensuring that the State may access maximum federal 8 matching funds by seeking approval for the Centers for 9 Medicare and Medicaid Services for modifications to the 10 State's home and community based services waiver and 11 additional waiver opportunities, including applying for 12 enrollment in the Balance Incentive Payment Program by May 13 1, 2013, in order to maximize federal matching funds; this 14 shall include, but not be limited to, modification that 15 reflects all changes in the Community Care Program 16 services and all increases in the services cost maximum; 17 (8) ensuring that the determination of need tool 18 accurately reflects the service needs of individuals with 19 Alzheimer's disease and related dementia disorders; 20 (9) ensuring that services are authorized accurately 21 and consistently for the Community Care Program (CCP); the 22 Department shall implement a Service Authorization policy 23 directive; the purpose shall be to ensure that eligibility 24 and services are authorized accurately and consistently in 25 the CCP program; the policy directive shall clarify 26 service authorization guidelines to Care Coordination SB0120 - 8 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 9 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 9 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 9 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 Units and Community Care Program providers no later than 2 May 1, 2013; 3 (10) working in conjunction with Care Coordination 4 Units, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, 5 the Department of Human Services, Community Care Program 6 providers, and other stakeholders to make improvements to 7 the Medicaid claiming processes and the Medicaid 8 enrollment procedures or requirements as needed, 9 including, but not limited to, specific policy changes or 10 rules to improve the up-front enrollment of participants 11 in the Medicaid program and specific policy changes or 12 rules to insure more prompt submission of bills to the 13 federal government to secure maximum federal matching 14 dollars as promptly as possible; the Department on Aging 15 shall have at least 3 meetings with stakeholders by 16 January 1, 2014 in order to address these improvements; 17 (11) requiring home care service providers to comply 18 with the rounding of hours worked provisions under the 19 federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and as set forth 20 in 29 CFR 785.48(b) by May 1, 2013; 21 (12) implementing any necessary policy changes or 22 promulgating any rules, no later than January 1, 2014, to 23 assist the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in 24 moving as many participants as possible, consistent with 25 federal regulations, into coordinated care plans if a care 26 coordination plan that covers long term care is available SB0120 - 9 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 10 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 10 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 10 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 in the recipient's area; and 2 (13) (blank). 3 By January 1, 2009 or as soon after the end of the Cash and 4 Counseling Demonstration Project as is practicable, the 5 Department may, based on its evaluation of the demonstration 6 project, promulgate rules concerning personal assistant 7 services, to include, but need not be limited to, 8 qualifications, employment screening, rights under fair labor 9 standards, training, fiduciary agent, and supervision 10 requirements. All applicants shall be subject to the 11 provisions of the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. 12 The Department shall develop procedures to enhance 13 availability of services on evenings, weekends, and on an 14 emergency basis to meet the respite needs of caregivers. 15 Procedures shall be developed to permit the utilization of 16 services in successive blocks of 24 hours up to the monthly 17 maximum established by the Department. Workers providing these 18 services shall be appropriately trained. 19 No September 23, 1991 (Public Act 87-729) person may 20 perform chore/housekeeping and home care aide services under a 21 program authorized by this Section unless that person has been 22 issued a certificate of pre-service to do so by his or her 23 employing agency. Information gathered to effect such 24 certification shall include (i) the person's name, (ii) the 25 date the person was hired by his or her current employer, and 26 (iii) the training, including dates and levels. Persons SB0120 - 10 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 11 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 11 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 11 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 engaged in the program authorized by this Section before the 2 effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991 shall be issued a 3 certificate of all pre-service and in-service training from 4 his or her employer upon submitting the necessary information. 5 The employing agency shall be required to retain records of 6 all staff pre-service and in-service training, and shall 7 provide such records to the Department upon request and upon 8 termination of the employer's contract with the Department. In 9 addition, the employing agency is responsible for the issuance 10 of certifications of in-service training completed to their 11 employees. 12 The Department is required to develop a system to ensure 13 that persons working as home care aides and personal 14 assistants receive increases in their wages when the federal 15 minimum wage is increased by requiring vendors to certify that 16 they are meeting the federal minimum wage statute for home 17 care aides and personal assistants. An employer that cannot 18 ensure that the minimum wage increase is being given to home 19 care aides and personal assistants shall be denied any 20 increase in reimbursement costs. 21 The Community Care Program Advisory Committee is created 22 in the Department on Aging. The Director shall appoint 23 individuals to serve in the Committee, who shall serve at 24 their own expense. Members of the Committee must abide by all 25 applicable ethics laws. The Committee shall advise the 26 Department on issues related to the Department's program of SB0120 - 11 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 12 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 12 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 12 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization. The 2 Committee shall meet on a bi-monthly basis and shall serve to 3 identify and advise the Department on present and potential 4 issues affecting the service delivery network, the program's 5 clients, and the Department and to recommend solution 6 strategies. Persons appointed to the Committee shall be 7 appointed on, but not limited to, their own and their agency's 8 experience with the program, geographic representation, and 9 willingness to serve. The Director shall appoint members to 10 the Committee to represent provider, advocacy, policy 11 research, and other constituencies committed to the delivery 12 of high quality home and community-based services to older 13 adults. Representatives shall be appointed to ensure 14 representation from community care providers, including, but 15 not limited to, adult day service providers, homemaker 16 providers, case coordination and case management units, 17 emergency home response providers, statewide trade or labor 18 unions that represent home care aides and direct care staff, 19 area agencies on aging, adults over age 60, membership 20 organizations representing older adults, and other 21 organizational entities, providers of care, or individuals 22 with demonstrated interest and expertise in the field of home 23 and community care as determined by the Director. 24 Nominations may be presented from any agency or State 25 association with interest in the program. The Director, or his 26 or her designee, shall serve as the permanent co-chair of the SB0120 - 12 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 13 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 13 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 13 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 advisory committee. One other co-chair shall be nominated and 2 approved by the members of the committee on an annual basis. 3 Committee members' terms of appointment shall be for 4 years 4 with one-quarter of the appointees' terms expiring each year. 5 A member shall continue to serve until his or her replacement 6 is named. The Department shall fill vacancies that have a 7 remaining term of over one year, and this replacement shall 8 occur through the annual replacement of expiring terms. The 9 Director shall designate Department staff to provide technical 10 assistance and staff support to the committee. Department 11 representation shall not constitute membership of the 12 committee. All Committee papers, issues, recommendations, 13 reports, and meeting memoranda are advisory only. The 14 Director, or his or her designee, shall make a written report, 15 as requested by the Committee, regarding issues before the 16 Committee. 17 The Department on Aging and the Department of Human 18 Services shall cooperate in the development and submission of 19 an annual report on programs and services provided under this 20 Section. Such joint report shall be filed with the Governor 21 and the General Assembly on or before March 31 of the following 22 fiscal year. 23 The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly 24 shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required 25 by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act and 26 filing such additional copies with the State Government Report SB0120 - 13 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 14 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 14 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 14 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required 2 under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act. 3 Those persons previously found eligible for receiving 4 noninstitutional non-institutional services whose services 5 were discontinued under the Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal 6 Year 1992, and who do not meet the eligibility standards in 7 effect on or after July 1, 1992, shall remain ineligible on and 8 after July 1, 1992. Those persons previously not required to 9 cost-share and who were required to cost-share effective March 10 1, 1992, shall continue to meet cost-share requirements on and 11 after July 1, 1992. Beginning July 1, 1992, all clients will be 12 required to meet eligibility, cost-share, and other 13 requirements and will have services discontinued or altered 14 when they fail to meet these requirements. 15 For the purposes of this Section, "flexible senior 16 services" refers to services that require one-time or periodic 17 expenditures, including, but not limited to, respite care, 18 home modification, assistive technology, housing assistance, 19 and transportation. 20 The Department shall implement an electronic service 21 verification based on global positioning systems or other 22 cost-effective technology for the Community Care Program no 23 later than January 1, 2014. 24 The Department shall require, as a condition of 25 eligibility, application for the medical assistance program 26 under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code. SB0120 - 14 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 15 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 15 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 15 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 The Department may authorize Community Care Program 2 services until an applicant is determined eligible for medical 3 assistance under Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code. 4 The Department shall continue to provide Community Care 5 Program reports as required by statute, which shall include an 6 annual report on Care Coordination Unit performance and 7 adherence to service guidelines and a 6-month supplemental 8 report. 9 In regard to community care providers, failure to comply 10 with Department on Aging policies shall be cause for 11 disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, 12 disqualification from serving Community Care Program clients. 13 Each provider, upon submission of any bill or invoice to the 14 Department for payment for services rendered, shall include a 15 notarized statement, under penalty of perjury pursuant to 16 Section 1-109 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that the 17 provider has complied with all Department policies. 18 The Director of the Department on Aging shall make 19 information available to the State Board of Elections as may 20 be required by an agreement the State Board of Elections has 21 entered into with a multi-state voter registration list 22 maintenance system. 23 The Department shall pay an enhanced rate of at least 24 $1.77 per unit under the Community Care Program to those 25 in-home service provider agencies that offer health insurance 26 coverage as a benefit to their direct service worker employees SB0120 - 15 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 16 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 16 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 16 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 pursuant to rules adopted by the Department. The Department 2 shall review the enhanced rate as part of its process to rebase 3 in-home service provider reimbursement rates pursuant to 4 federal waiver requirements. Subject to federal approval, 5 beginning on January 1, 2024, rates for adult day services 6 shall be increased to $16.84 per hour and rates for each way 7 transportation services for adult day services shall be 8 increased to $12.44 per unit transportation. 9 Subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2024, 10 rates for homemaker services shall be increased to $28.07 to 11 sustain a minimum wage of $17 per hour for direct service 12 workers. Rates in subsequent State fiscal years shall be no 13 lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. 14 Providers of in-home services shall be required to certify to 15 the Department that they remain in compliance with the 16 mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Fringe 17 benefits, including, but not limited to, paid time off and 18 payment for training, health insurance, travel, or 19 transportation, shall not be reduced in relation to the rate 20 increases described in this paragraph. 21 Subject to and upon federal approval, on and after January 22 1, 2025, rates for homemaker services shall be increased to 23 $29.63 to sustain a minimum wage of $18 per hour for direct 24 service workers. Rates in subsequent State fiscal years shall 25 be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal 26 approval. Providers of in-home services shall be required to SB0120 - 16 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 17 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 17 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 17 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 certify to the Department that they remain in compliance with 2 the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Fringe 3 benefits, including, but not limited to, paid time off and 4 payment for training, health insurance, travel, or 5 transportation, shall not be reduced in relation to the rate 6 increases described in this paragraph. 7 Subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, 8 rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to 9 sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service 10 workers. Rates in subsequent State fiscal years shall be no 11 lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. In 12 order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to 13 receive the $32.75 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage 14 of $20 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the 15 provider. Providers of in-home services shall be required to 16 certify to the Department that they remain in compliance with 17 the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. By no 18 more than 60 days after issuing notification of the rate 19 increase, the Department shall require providers of in-home 20 services to submit such certification to the Department in 21 order for the provider to be eligible for the $32.75 rate for 22 in-home services. The Department shall also require each 23 provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the 24 Department consistent with Section 240.2023 of Title 89 of the 25 Illinois Administrative Code in order for the provider to be 26 eligible for the $32.75 rate for in-home services. Fringe SB0120 - 17 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 18 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 18 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 18 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 benefits, including, but not limited to, paid time off and 2 payment for training, health insurance, travel, or 3 transportation, shall not be reduced in relation to the rate 4 increases described in this paragraph. 5 To ensure that in-home service payment rates are adequate 6 to maintain a sufficient direct care workforce to meet the 7 needs of Community Care Program beneficiaries and provide 8 access to services in the amount, duration, and scope 9 specified in beneficiaries' person-centered service plans, 10 beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that 11 each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total 12 payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it 13 furnishes under the Community Care Program on total 14 compensation for direct service workers who furnish those 15 services. "Compensation" means salary, wages, and other 16 remuneration as defined by the Fair Labor Standards Act and 17 implementing regulations (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq., 29 CFR Parts 18 531 and 778); benefits (such as health and dental benefits, 19 life and disability insurance, paid leave, retirement, and 20 tuition reimbursement); and the employer share of payroll 21 taxes for direct service workers delivering services 22 authorized under this Section. This calculation shall not 23 include excluded costs as defined in this paragraph. The 24 Department shall require each provider annually to submit a 25 direct service worker cost report certifying that the provider 26 has met the minimum spending requirement. The report must be SB0120 - 18 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 19 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 19 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 19 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 based upon actual, documented expenditures, attested to by an 2 authorized representative of the provider, and submitted 3 within 6 months after the end of the reporting period. The 4 Department shall adopt rules amending current rules on 5 financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to 6 implement this paragraph. If a provider fails to meet the 7 requirements of this paragraph, the Department may sanction 8 the provider by closing intake of Community Care Program 9 participants on some or all of the provider's contracts for a 10 period of time, or by terminating some or all of the provider's 11 contracts under the Community Care Program. For purposes of 12 this paragraph, "excluded costs" mean costs of administering 13 required trainings for direct service workers (such as costs 14 for qualified trainers and training materials); travel costs 15 for direct service workers (such as mileage reimbursement or 16 public transportation subsidies); costs of personal protective 17 equipment for direct service workers; and the cost of health 18 insurance coverage for direct service workers not exceeding 19 the value of an enhanced rate paid under the Community Care 20 Program to in-home service provider agencies that offer health 21 insurance coverage as a benefit to direct service workers 22 consistent with the mandates of Public Act 95-713. 23 The General Assembly finds it necessary to authorize an 24 aggressive Medicaid enrollment initiative designed to maximize 25 federal Medicaid funding for the Community Care Program which 26 produces significant savings for the State of Illinois. The SB0120 - 19 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 20 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 20 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 20 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 Department on Aging shall establish and implement a Community 2 Care Program Medicaid Initiative. Under the Initiative, the 3 Department on Aging shall, at a minimum: (i) provide an 4 enhanced rate to adequately compensate care coordination units 5 to enroll eligible Community Care Program clients into 6 Medicaid; (ii) use recommendations from a stakeholder 7 committee on how best to implement the Initiative; and (iii) 8 establish requirements for State agencies to make enrollment 9 in the State's Medical Assistance program easier for seniors. 10 The Community Care Program Medicaid Enrollment Oversight 11 Subcommittee is created as a subcommittee of the Older Adult 12 Services Advisory Committee established in Section 35 of the 13 Older Adult Services Act to make recommendations on how best 14 to increase the number of medical assistance recipients who 15 are enrolled in the Community Care Program. The Subcommittee 16 shall consist of all of the following persons who must be 17 appointed within 30 days after June 4, 2018 (the effective 18 date of Public Act 100-587): 19 (1) The Director of Aging, or his or her designee, who 20 shall serve as the chairperson of the Subcommittee. 21 (2) One representative of the Department of Healthcare 22 and Family Services, appointed by the Director of 23 Healthcare and Family Services. 24 (3) One representative of the Department of Human 25 Services, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services. 26 (4) One individual representing a care coordination SB0120 - 20 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 21 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 21 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 21 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 unit, appointed by the Director of Aging. 2 (5) One individual from a non-governmental statewide 3 organization that advocates for seniors, appointed by the 4 Director of Aging. 5 (6) One individual representing Area Agencies on 6 Aging, appointed by the Director of Aging. 7 (7) One individual from a statewide association 8 dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support, and research, 9 appointed by the Director of Aging. 10 (8) One individual from an organization that employs 11 persons who provide services under the Community Care 12 Program, appointed by the Director of Aging. 13 (9) One member of a trade or labor union representing 14 persons who provide services under the Community Care 15 Program, appointed by the Director of Aging. 16 (10) One member of the Senate, who shall serve as 17 co-chairperson, appointed by the President of the Senate. 18 (11) One member of the Senate, who shall serve as 19 co-chairperson, appointed by the Minority Leader of the 20 Senate. 21 (12) One member of the House of Representatives, who 22 shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Speaker of 23 the House of Representatives. 24 (13) One member of the House of Representatives, who 25 shall serve as co-chairperson, appointed by the Minority 26 Leader of the House of Representatives. SB0120 - 21 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 22 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 22 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 22 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 (14) One individual appointed by a labor organization 2 representing frontline employees at the Department of 3 Human Services. 4 The Subcommittee shall provide oversight to the Community 5 Care Program Medicaid Initiative and shall meet quarterly. At 6 each Subcommittee meeting the Department on Aging shall 7 provide the following data sets to the Subcommittee: (A) the 8 number of Illinois residents, categorized by planning and 9 service area, who are receiving services under the Community 10 Care Program and are enrolled in the State's Medical 11 Assistance Program; (B) the number of Illinois residents, 12 categorized by planning and service area, who are receiving 13 services under the Community Care Program, but are not 14 enrolled in the State's Medical Assistance Program; and (C) 15 the number of Illinois residents, categorized by planning and 16 service area, who are receiving services under the Community 17 Care Program and are eligible for benefits under the State's 18 Medical Assistance Program, but are not enrolled in the 19 State's Medical Assistance Program. In addition to this data, 20 the Department on Aging shall provide the Subcommittee with 21 plans on how the Department on Aging will reduce the number of 22 Illinois residents who are not enrolled in the State's Medical 23 Assistance Program but who are eligible for medical assistance 24 benefits. The Department on Aging shall enroll in the State's 25 Medical Assistance Program those Illinois residents who 26 receive services under the Community Care Program and are SB0120 - 22 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 23 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 23 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 23 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b 1 eligible for medical assistance benefits but are not enrolled 2 in the State's Medicaid Assistance Program. The data provided 3 to the Subcommittee shall be made available to the public via 4 the Department on Aging's website. 5 The Department on Aging, with the involvement of the 6 Subcommittee, shall collaborate with the Department of Human 7 Services and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services 8 on how best to achieve the responsibilities of the Community 9 Care Program Medicaid Initiative. 10 The Department on Aging, the Department of Human Services, 11 and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall 12 coordinate and implement a streamlined process for seniors to 13 access benefits under the State's Medical Assistance Program. 14 The Subcommittee shall collaborate with the Department of 15 Human Services on the adoption of a uniform application 16 submission process. The Department of Human Services and any 17 other State agency involved with processing the medical 18 assistance application of any person enrolled in the Community 19 Care Program shall include the appropriate care coordination 20 unit in all communications related to the determination or 21 status of the application. 22 The Community Care Program Medicaid Initiative shall 23 provide targeted funding to care coordination units to help 24 seniors complete their applications for medical assistance 25 benefits. On and after July 1, 2019, care coordination units 26 shall receive no less than $200 per completed application, SB0120 - 23 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120- 24 -LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 24 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 24 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b SB0120 - 24 - LRB104 06106 KTG 16139 b