Improving the functioning of home care rate statutes.

The deadline for the rate-setting board to agree on labor and administrative rates was changed from September 1st to August 1st.

Conflicting instructions on how to determine rates if an agreement is not reached were removed and consolidated into a single, clear process.

The bill title was updated from 'Substitute Senate Bill' to 'Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill' to reflect its status after passing both houses.

Changed the rate-setting schedule from a biennial (every two years) process to an annual process, requiring calculations in every odd-numbered year.

Extended the deadline for the rate-setting board to reach an agreement from July 1st to September 1st.

Added a specific mandate for fiscal year 2027 to determine the portion of the vendor rate dedicated to wages and benefits, establishing a baseline for future annual increases.

Revised the use of funds to strictly limit the 'health care' portion of the rate to medical, dental, and vision benefits, and the 'training' portion to specific certification costs.

Added a new requirement for home care agencies to submit an independent third-party audit to verify compliance with rate usage, replacing the option for a union attestation.

Added a specific condition requiring the department to adjust the administrative rate to ensure it never exceeds 20% of the total vendor rate.

Added a new category of allowable modifications for the department to adjust rates without a full board meeting, specifically to maintain the 20% administrative rate cap.

Updated the definition of 'home care agency vendor rate' to explicitly include required employer contributions and premiums alongside wages and benefits.