Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB617

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/11/25
• Refer: 4/11/25

Caption

In public assistance, providing for intellectual disability and autism fee schedule rates.

Impact

The bill, upon enactment, would require annual adjustments to the fee schedule rates based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers within the Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland region. This mechanism aims to ensure that the remuneration for direct support professionals is responsive to inflation and market dynamics. By potentially increasing wages for these professionals, SB617 seeks to bolster the workforce available to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism, addressing longstanding understaffing issues and waiting lists for services.

Summary

Senate Bill 617 is an amendment to the Pennsylvania Human Services Code, specifically aimed at establishing a new fee schedule for services related to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. The bill highlights the importance of updating fee rates based on a nationally recognized market index, which proponents argue will more accurately reflect market conditions and the economic realities faced by direct support professionals. This initiative is intended to enhance service provision to these individuals and improve care by ensuring that staff receive adequate compensation for their work.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SB617 appears to be generally positive among advocates for individuals with disabilities and professionals in the caregiving field. Supporters believe that the bill represents necessary progress in recognizing and addressing the financial challenges faced by direct support staff. However, there may be concerns from state financial oversight bodies regarding the implications of increased costs on public funding for services, which could lead to discussions about budgetary constraints and resource allocation.

Contention

While the overarching goal of SB617 is to improve the quality of care provided to individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism through better compensation for providers, some legislators may raise concerns about the financial sustainability of these adjustments. The reliance on the Consumer Price Index for fee updates means that fluctuations in the economy could lead to unpredictable funding needs, which could create tension between legislative priorities and fiscal responsibility. Discussions may also involve the adequacy of current funding mechanisms to support these changes.