Minnesota House Bill HF1953

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/25
• Refer: 3/6/25

Caption

Community first services and supports rates modified.

Impact

This legislation is significant as it mandates biennial updates to both the base wage and competitive workforce factor components which will impact overall payment rates. Beginning January 1, 2026, and every two years thereafter, the commissioner of human services will use up-to-date wage data to adjust these components, which directly affects how much workers will earn in this critical sector. By tying payment rates to median wages, workers may see increases that reflect the labor market, aiming to improve retention and ensure a stable workforce.

Summary

HF1953 aims to modify the payment rates for community first services and supports (CFSS) in Minnesota. The bill introduces a new structure for establishing base wage component values based on the Minnesota-specific median wage for various occupations involved in personal care services. These adjustments seek to address wage concerns and ensure fair compensation for workers in the personal care assistance sector, taking into account the standard occupational classification codes relevant to their roles.

Contention

While supporters argue that these updates are necessary for equitable compensation, there may be concerns about the impact of increased costs on state budgets or service availability. The bill's emphasis on maintaining a well-paid workforce is expected to reduce turnover and improve service quality for recipients of personal care services. However, some lawmakers or stakeholders may express worries regarding how these legislative changes could constrain budgetary flexibility or lead to higher expenditures than previously anticipated.