Increases pay for direct support professionals; makes appropriation.

This bill creates a state-funded program to help employers increase wages for direct support professionals (DSPs) who assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Department of Human Services will distribute funds from the General Fund to employers, requiring them to use the money solely to raise DSP pay for existing or new staff. Employers must apply through a process established by the department, with guidelines for compliance. The program takes effect immediately but ends once all allocated funds are distributed. This directly affects employers of DSPs across New Jersey, aiming to address staffing shortages by enabling wage increases.