SB3490 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 39367 KTG 69530 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB3490

Introduced 2/9/2024, by Sen. Paul Faraci

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Caregiver Repayment Program Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement, by January 1, 2025, a Caregiver Repayment Program that shall provide payments to caregivers of children with severe medical needs who are ineligible for benefits under the State's Medical Assistance Program. Requires the Caregiver Repayment Program to provide payments in the most integrated and cost-effective way possible in order to utilize available funding to assist as many children and families as possible. Provides that payments under the program may not exceed $10,000 per family per year; and that eligibility for payments through the program must be determined solely based on medical necessity. Requires the Department to submit annual reports to the Governor and the General Assembly, beginning January 1, 2026, that includes, but is not limited to, information on: (i) the total amount of funding spent on the program, including State and federal funds; (ii) the number of children served through the program; (iii) the types of services required by children whose caregivers received funding through the program; and (iv) the income range of caregivers receiving payments through the program. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the program. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning public aid.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Caregiver Repayment Program Act.

Section 5. Caregiver Repayment Program.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Children with severe medical needs" means children who have medical needs that (i) would qualify the child for institutionalization in an acute care hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities or place the child at risk of institutionalization; and (2) are likely to last at least 12 months or result in death.

"Program" means the Caregiver Repayment Program.

(b) By January 1, 2025, the Department of Human Services shall develop and implement a Caregiver Repayment Program that shall provide payments to caregivers of children with severe medical needs who are ineligible for benefits under the State's Medical Assistance Program established in Article V of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

(c) The program must provide payments in the most integrated and cost-effective way possible in order to utilize available funding to assist as many children and families as possible. Payments under the program may not exceed $10,000 per family per year. Eligibility for payments through the program must be determined solely based on medical necessity.

(d) Beginning January 1, 2026, and each January 1 thereafter, the Department of Human Services shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report which includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

(1) the total amount of funding spent on the program, including State and federal funds;

(2) the number of children served through the program;

(3) the types of services required by children whose caregivers received funding through the program; and

(4) the income range of caregivers receiving payments through the program.

Section 10. Rules. The Department of Human Services may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the program.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.