HB3132 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 30189 KTG 56617 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3132

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Lilian Jiménez

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Human Services Compensation Parity Act. Provides that the Departments of Human Services, Children and Family Services, Juvenile Justice, Aging, and Public Health (State agencies) shall increase the rate of reimbursement or grant amounts for human services providers by an amount that reduces the disparity amount, as defined, to certain percentage levels for the period July 1, 2024 through July 1, 2028. Defines "disparity amount" to mean the monetary calculation of the average difference in salary between professionals employed by human service providers and comparable employees employed by the State for the delivery of human services. Provides that all increases in the rate of reimbursement as provided in the amendatory Act shall be used to increase the compensation of human services workers. Provides that the State agencies shall adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act. Provides that on or before September 1, 2023, the Department of Human Services shall establish the Human Services Compensation Task Force. Sets forth the Task Force's membership. Requires the Task Force to provide a report to the General Assembly, on or before January 1, 2024, that includes recommendations to strengthen recruitment and retention of human services workers employed by human services providers that have contracts with the State. Requires the State agencies to each provide a report to the Task Force and the General Assembly, on or before July 1, 2024, that includes the information on (i) the current disparity amount between the salaries of professionals employed by human service providers and comparable employees employed by the State for the delivery of human services; (ii) the amount of annual increases in the rate of reimbursement to human services providers under contract with State agencies that are necessary to reduce and eliminate the disparity amount by July 1, 2028; and (iii) other matters. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Human Services Compensation Parity Act.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Disparity amount" means the monetary calculation of the average difference in salary between professionals employed by human service providers and comparable employees employed by the State for the delivery of human services.

"Grant" means an award to fund a project or program to a human services provider.

"Human services provider" means a community-based human services organization with a human services program funded by a State agency.

"Professional" means an individual employed by a human services agency that contracts with, is grant-funded, or receives funding from a State agency for the purposes of providing direct or indirect services that ensure that individuals have the essential elements to build and maintain physical, emotional, and economic well-being at every phase of life.

"Rate" means the reimbursement rate paid by State agencies to a human services provider to deliver services to clients on the State's behalf.

"State agency" means the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department on Aging, and the Department of Public Health.

Section 20. Compensation.

(a) Notwithstanding any law or rule to the contrary, State agencies shall increase the rate of reimbursement or grant amounts for human services providers by an amount that reduces the disparity amount to:

(1) 50% on or before July 1, 2024;

(2) 35% on or before July 1, 2025;

(3) 20% on or before July 1, 2026;

(4) 5% on or before July 1, 2027; and

(5) 0% on or before July 1, 2028, and shall remain at 0% thereafter.

(b) All increases in the rate of reimbursement provided for in this Section shall be used to increase the compensation of human services workers.

(c) State agencies shall adopt rules to implement this Section.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit the elimination of the disparity amount prior to July 1, 2028.

Section 30. Human Services Compensation Task Force.

(a) On or before September 1, 2023, the Department of Human Services shall establish the Human Services Compensation Task Force.

(b) Members of the Task Force shall be appointed by the Governor, and shall include:

(1) The Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary's designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the Task Force.

(2) The Director of Aging, or the Director's designee.

(3) The Director of Children and Family Services, or the Director's designee.

(4) The Director of Public Health, or the Director's designee.

(5) The Director of Juvenile Justice, or the Director's designee.

(6) A representative of a statewide organization representing human service providers.

(7) Two representatives of human service providers that have annual budgets of $10,000,000 or higher.

(8) Two representatives of human service providers that have annual budgets under $10,000,000.

(9) One representative of a trade or labor union representing professionals employed by human service providers.

(c) On or before January 1, 2024, the Task Force shall provide a report to the General Assembly that includes recommendations to strengthen recruitment and retention of human services workers employed by human services providers that have contracts with the State.

(d) On or before July 1, 2024, the State agencies shall each provide a report to the Task Force and the General Assembly that includes the following information:

(1) the current disparity amount between the salaries of professionals employed by human service providers and comparable employees employed by the State for the delivery of human services;

(2) the amount of annual increases in the rate of reimbursement to human services providers under contract with State agencies that are necessary to reduce and eliminate the disparity amount by July 1, 2028 in accordance with the schedule listed under subsection (a) of Section 20;

(3) the amount needed to be appropriated annually to achieve the reductions in the disparity amount described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (a) of Section 20; and

(4) the implementation of rates necessary to eliminate the disparity amount by agency, job description, and start date of implementation.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.