Authorizes payment for services rendered in excess of 40 hours per week under agency with choice self-directed employee model within self-directed services program.
The proposed legislation would facilitate significant changes to state law related to the payment structure for individuals providing care and assistance to persons with disabilities. Specifically, it empowers fiscal intermediaries—organizations that manage the financial aspects of these services—to compensate SDEs for overtime work. This is an important step in addressing workforce needs in the context of a model that encourages self-sufficiency and independence for individuals with disabilities, aligning compensation with the actual hours worked as long as expenditures are justified within the individuals' service plans and budgets.
Assembly Bill A2867 aims to amend provisions within New Jersey's self-directed services program by authorizing payment for services rendered by self-directed employees (SDEs) that exceed 40 hours per week. This bill is designed for individuals utilizing the agency with choice (AWC) self-directed employee model, which empowers individuals with developmental disabilities to manage their own care and services. By allowing SDEs to receive overtime pay, the bill seeks to enhance the flexibility and sustainability of care provided under the self-directed services program.
There may be points of contention regarding potential impacts on funding and budgeting within the self-directed services framework. Critics could argue that allowing overtime payments might strain financial resources or lead to budget mismanagement within the individual plans of recipients. However, proponents would counter that this amendment is a necessary evolution of the program that acknowledges the realities of caregiving, particularly for self-directed employees who often face workload demands that exceed standard hours.