HB0793: STATE GOVERNMENT-TECH

Legislative Summary

Reinserts the provisions of House Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Further amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to eliminate on December 31, 2029 (rather than July 1, 2027) the use of active or pending certificates authorized under Section 14(c) the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, to file an amendment to the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities authorized under the Social Security Act to increase the rates for the following waiver services: Supported Employment - Small Group Supports. Requires the amendment to be filed by January 1, 2025. Removes provisions creating a Transition Grant Fund and instead provides that the Department shall establish a Section 14(c) transition program to award transition grants to eligible community agencies with active or pending Section 14(c) certificates to aid in the transition away from subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. Provides that eligibility for the grants shall be contingent upon community agencies submitting a transition plan. Requires the Department to provide example plans that community agencies may adapt and to award transition program grant funds by January 1, 2025 in compliance with the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Contains provisions on appropriate uses for the grant funds. Requires the Department to submit annual status reports to the Governor and the General Assembly that include data on each grant recipient to demonstrate progress toward identified benchmarks. Further amends the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force Act. In provisions requiring the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force to create a multi-year plan to eliminate Section 14(c) certificates, requires the Task Force to create the multi-year plan with the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities and an academic partner with relevant subject matter expertise. Provides that the multi-year plan shall help the State to successfully eliminate the use of Section 14(c) certificates on December 31, 2029 (rather than July 1, 2027). Sets forth certain considerations the Task Force must make when developing the multi-year plan; data and analysis to be included in the multi-year plan; and other matters. Provides that the Task Force shall consult with employment service providers, people with disabilities, disability trade associations, and disability advocacy organizations in the development of the multi-year plan. Requires the Governor to appoint at least 2 additional members to the Task Force who represent organizations that are current Section 14(c) certificate holders. Provides that the Director of Labor, or the Director's designee, shall serve on the Task Force in a non-voting, advisory capacity until July 1, 2025. Further amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning personal needs allowance increases for residents of community-integrated living arrangements. Further amends the Minimum Wage Law. Permits the Director of Labor to issue regulations for the employment of learners at wages lower than the wage rate applicable under the Act. Effective immediately.