bill setting a $20 an hour floor for personal attendants

The text as introduced · 649 words

89R4221 KKR-D

By: González of El Paso
H.B. No. 2938

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to attendant care services under Medicaid and other

programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission,

including establishing a minimum base wage for certain personal

attendants providing those services and allowing family members to

provide those services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 546, Government Code, as

effective April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Section 546.0107 to

read as follows:

Sec. 546.0107. FAMILY MEMBERS AS PERSONAL ATTENDANTS. (a)

In this section, "personal attendant" and "attendant care services"

have the meanings assigned by Section 546.0751.

(b) This section applies only with respect to the following

programs administered by the commission:

(1) Medicaid, including a waiver or other program

established under:

(A) Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42

U.S.C. Section 1315);

(B) Section 1915(b), (c), or (k) of the Social

Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(b), (c), or (k)); or

(C) Section 1929 of the Social Security Act (42

U.S.C. Section 1396t); and

(2) a program authorized under Subtitle A, Title XX,

of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1397 et seq.).

(c) To the extent permitted by federal law, a personal

attendant who provides attendant care services to a consumer may be

a family member of the consumer, including the consumer's parent or

spouse.

SECTION 2. Chapter 546, Government Code, as effective April

1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter P to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER P. PERSONAL ATTENDANT SERVICES

Sec. 546.0751. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Attendant care services" means nonmedical

services that enable an individual to engage in the activities of

daily living or to perform the physical functions required for

independent living, including:

(A) bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding,

exercising, toileting, positioning, routine hair and skin care, and

other personal care services;

(B) transfer or ambulation, transportation, and

other mobility support services;

(C) light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal

preparation, laundry, and other household assistance;

(D) assisting with self-administered

medications;

(E) monitoring health-related needs and other

health management needs; and

(F) in-home respite services.

(2) "Personal attendant" means an individual who is

engaged as an employee or subcontractor to directly provide

attendant care services to an individual eligible to receive those

services under a program administered by the commission.

Sec. 546.0752. MINIMUM BASE WAGE FOR PERSONAL ATTENDANTS.

(a) This section applies only with respect to the following

programs administered by the commission:

(1) Medicaid, including a waiver or other program

established under:

(A) Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42

U.S.C. Section 1315);

(B) Section 1915(b), (c), or (k) of the Social

Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(b), (c), or (k)); or

(C) Section 1929 of the Social Security Act (42

U.S.C. Section 1396t); and

(2) a program authorized under Subtitle A, Title XX,

of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1397 et seq.).

(b) Notwithstanding Section 62.051 or 62.151, Labor Code,

or any other law, a personal attendant providing attendant care

services under a program to which this section applies must be paid

a base wage that is not less than the greater of:

(1) $20 an hour; or

(2) the federal minimum wage under Section 6, Fair

Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 206).

Sec. 546.0753. RULES. The executive commissioner shall

adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter.

SECTION 3. Section 546.0752, Government Code, as added by

this Act, applies beginning with the 2026 calendar year.

SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act

a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a

federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision,

the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or

authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the

waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.