DIRECT SERVICE PERSONNEL WAGE

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall increase rates and reimbursements so that on or before July 1, 2017 direct service personnel in residential and day programs serving individuals with developmental disabilities earn a starting wage of not less than $13 per hour. On or before July l, 2015 rates shall increase to fund a $1 per hour increase. Provides that on or before January 1, 2016 rates shall increase to fund an additional $1 per hour increase. On or before July 1, 2016 rates shall increase to fund an additional $1 per hour increase. Provides that on or before January 1, 2017 rates shall increase to fund an additional $0.65 per hour increase. Defines "direct service personnel". Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the amount of the payment rate for all nursing facilities certified by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled or long term care for under age 22 facilities shall increase to fund: (1) a $1 per hour increase on or before July 1, 2015; (2) an additional $1 per hour increase on or before January 1, 2016; (3) an additional $1 per hour increase on or before July l, 2016; and (4) an increase to fund an additional $0.65 per hour increase on or before January l, 2017. Effective immediately.