General Bills Monday, February 8th: At 3:00, the House Human Services Committee will hear HB 275, "Establish uses of Medicaid waiver funds." Click here to read this bill. The bill requires money appropriated for Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver (HCBS) Slots to be used by the Department to create waiver slots and address workforce shortages or other barriers to creating the number of waiver slots authorized by the legislature. Funds not used in this way may not be transferred to another department division or program. The money must be used for the program for which it was appropriated or be reverted to the fund from which it was appropriated. The sponsor is Rep. Mary Caferro and the hearing will be in room 152. Click here for the contact information for the House Human Services Committee. Also at 3:00, the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee will hear SB 109, “Revise laws related to gifted and talented education.” Click here to read this bill. This would require schools to identify gifted and talented students and provide programs for them. Sponsored by Sen. Daniel Salomon, it will be heard in room 422. Click here for the contact information for the Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee. Tuesday, February 9th: At 8:30 the House Business and Labor Committee will hear HB 282 “Revise labor laws relating to the employment of minors.” Click here to read this bill. This bill would allow student employees of 16 or older to perform work functions under certain circumstances and revises exemptions in agriculture to allow a student learner to perform regular work functions. This is sponsored by Rep. Fred Anderson and will be heard in room 172. The Committee will also hear HB 283 “Revise workers' compensation laws relating to student interns.” Click here to read this bill. This would provide for workers’ compensation coverage of student interns while working with a private entity and learning working skills. This is also sponsored by Rep. Fred Anderson and will be heard in room 172. Click here for the contact information for the House Business and Labor Committee. Wednesday, February 10th: At 3:00, the House Human Services Committee will hear HB 276, "Put peer support specialists on the board of behavioral health." Click here to read this bill. This is sponsored by Rep. Mary Caferro and will be heard in room 152. Also at 3:00, the Committee will hear HB 296, "Establish grant program and other uses of DD general fund appropriation." Click here to read this bill. This bill creates a grant program to which providers of community developmental disabilities services can apply to cover: (a) acquisition, renovation, or maintenance of community-based facilities; (b) staff training that exceeds the minimum training levels established by the department; (c) staff retention and recruitment efforts, including but not limited to lump-sum payments based on: (i) acceptance of employment; (ii) longevity in employment; or (iii) the complexity of the care provided; (d) payment for medical equipment needed by a person with developmental disabilities but not covered by Medicaid; and (e) other purposes involving community-based facilities or community-based services as established by the department by rule. This bill is also sponsored by Rep. Mary Caferro and will be heard in room 152. Click here for the contact information for the House Human Services Committee. Thursday, February 11 At 3:00, the House Human Services Committee will hear HB 39, “Provide for continued interim review of child protective services matters.” Click here to read this bill. This is sponsored by Rep. Dennis Lenz and will be heard in room 152. Click here for the contact information for the House Human Services Committee. |