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AlaskaHB 9634th Legislature - Second Session (2026)HouseWALLET

HOME CARE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADV BOARD

Sponsored By: Mike Prax (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

More Medicaid funds go to workers

Agencies that get Medicaid funding for home care must pay a set share to direct care workers. For most agencies, the minimum is 70% starting July 1, 2027, and 80% starting July 1, 2030. With a hardship exemption, the minimum is 60% starting July 1, 2027, and 80% starting July 1, 2036. The pay share excludes PPE, required training, and travel costs like mileage or transit. This rule takes effect only after federal approval on or before January 1, 2027; once approved, it starts the next day. The health department must submit any needed Medicaid state plan changes to get that approval.

New home care board and duties

The law creates a Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board in the Health Department beginning July 1, 2027. Seats include providers (one with 700,000+ personal care units last year), two worker reps (one from a labor group with 300+ workers), an enrollee or representative, and a rate‑review office rep; aging and disability groups sit as nonvoting members. Members serve two-year terms; the commissioner fills vacancies within six months and removes members who no longer qualify. The board meets at least three times a year, allows public testimony, and can meet by phone or online; a majority of voting members is a quorum. Members get per diem and travel but no salary. The board studies wages, conditions, training, staffing, and service access; agencies must provide data and testify when asked. Every two years, the board issues a public report; the department must consider its rate advice and explain in writing if it sets different rates. All members are appointed before the first meeting, which must occur by October 1, 2027.

Annual pay reports and who is covered

Each year on July 1, or within 30 days after the board's report, the Health Department posts a wage report by agency. It shows weighted average and median hourly pay for workers who provide covered services. The law also defines who is a covered provider, which services count (chore, hourly respite, personal care, habilitation), and who is a direct care worker. These rules start July 1, 2027, and make clear who the board and payment rules apply to.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Prax

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 35 • No: 5

House vote • 4/27/2026

PASSED Y35 N5

Yes: 35 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. (S) Scheduled but Not Heard

    5/13/2026Senate

  2. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

    5/13/2026Senate

  3. (S) Heard & Held

    5/12/2026Senate

  4. (S) FINANCE at 09:00 AM SENATE FINANCE 532

    5/12/2026Senate

  5. Audio/Video

    5/12/2026House

  6. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

    4/28/2026Senate

  7. (S) FIN

    4/28/2026Senate

  8. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

    4/28/2026Senate

  9. (H) VERSION: CSHB 96(L&C) AM

    4/27/2026House

  10. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)

    4/27/2026House

  11. (H) COSPONSOR(S): JOSEPHSON, EISCHEID, GRAY, STORY, FRIER

    4/27/2026House

  12. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

    4/27/2026House

  13. (H) PASSED Y35 N5

    4/27/2026House

  14. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 96(L&C) AM

    4/27/2026House

  15. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING UC

    4/27/2026House

  16. (H) AM NO 1 ADOPTED UC

    4/27/2026House

  17. (H) L&C CS ADOPTED UC

    4/27/2026House

  18. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

    4/27/2026House

  19. (H) HELD TO 4/27 CALENDAR

    4/24/2026House

  20. (H) MOVED TO BOTTOM OF CALENDAR

    4/24/2026House

  21. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 4/24/2026

    4/24/2026House

  22. (H) COSPONSOR(S): GALVIN, SCHRAGE

    4/16/2026House

  23. (H) FN2: (DOH)

    4/16/2026House

  24. (H) AM: ALLARD, TOMASZEWSKI

    4/16/2026House

  25. (H) NR: STAPP

    4/16/2026House

Bill Text

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