HF4637

Purpose

• To extend the availability of an existing appropriation for the direct care services corps pilot project and update related statute to require evaluation and reporting on the project’s results.

Main Provisions

• Extends the time frame for the appropriation used by the direct care services corps pilot project.
• Adds an evaluation requirement by directing the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) to contract with a third party to assess the pilot’s impact on:
  • health care costs
  • retention of personal care assistants
  • satisfaction of patients
  • satisfaction of providers
• Requires the evaluation to include:
  • the number of participants
  • hours of care provided
  • how many participants stay in the program from one semester to the next
• Sets reporting deadlines:
  • By January 15, 2026 (and again by January 15, 2028), MCIL must report the evaluation findings to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees that oversee human services finance and policy.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Updates a 2023 law (as amended) to require formal third-party evaluation of the pilot project.
• Makes explicit the reporting obligations to legislative leadership and specific committees.
• Extends the authorization for the pilot project’s funding, enabling continued implementation and assessment.

Implementation & Oversight

• Responsible entity: Metropolitan Center for Independent Living.
• Oversight and reports directed to: chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over human services finance and policy.

Key Dates

• January 15, 2026: First required evaluation report.
• January 15, 2028: Second required evaluation report.

Relevant Terms - direct care services corps pilot project - appropriation extension - Metropolitan Center for Independent Living - third party / third-party evaluation - health care costs - retention of personal care assistants - patient satisfaction - provider satisfaction - participants - hours of care - semester-to-semester retention - January 15, 2026 - January 15, 2028 - legislative committees - chairs - ranking minority members - human services finance and policy