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Amend the resolve in section 1 in the next to the last line (page 1, line 5 in L.D.) by striking out the following: “$7.71” and inserting in its place the following: ‘$9.00’
Further amend the resolve in section 2 in the next to the last line (page 1, line 11 in L.D.) by striking out the following: “$7.71” and inserting in its place the following: ‘$9.00’
Further amend the resolve by inserting after section 5 the following:
‘Sec. 6 Salary and benefits survey and report. Resolved: That the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Labor shall perform a survey of wages and benefits to determine the wages paid to personal care assistants across the State. The survey must include all programs for which funds are provided by the State. By January 1, 2007, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Labor shall report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters with the results of the survey and include any recommendations for legislative action or rulemaking by the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor; and be it further’
Further amend the resolve in section 6 in the last line (page 1, line 42 in L.D.) by striking out the following: “2-A.” and inserting in its place the following: ‘2-A; and be it further’
Further amend the resolve by inserting after section 6 the following:
‘Sec. 7 Appropriations and allocations. Resolved: That the following appropriations and allocations are made.
 
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF
 
Medical Care - Payment to Providers 0147
 
Initiative: Provides funding to increase the MaineCare reimbursement rate for personal care attendants serving persons in the MaineCare physical disabilities waiver and the consumer-directed personal assistance services programs from $9.00 per hour to $10.00 per hour beginning October 1, 2006.
 	 	 	
 GENERAL FUND 	 2005-06 	 2006-07 	
All Other
	$0	$1,112,287	
 	 	 	
GENERAL FUND TOTAL	$0	$1,112,287	
 	 	 	
 FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND 	 2005-06 	 2006-07 	
All Other
	$0	$754,145	
 	 	 	
FEDERAL EXPENDITURES FUND TOTAL	$0	$754,145	
’
Further amend the resolve by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment adds to the work of the Commissioner of Health and Human Services and the Commissioner of Labor a survey of wages and benefits of personal care assistants, including those in programs for which funds are provided by the State, and a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over health and human services matters by January 1, 2007. The amendment changes the resolve to provide wage increases from $9 to $10 per hour in order to reflect the increase from $7.71 to $9.00 per hour provided in Public Law 2005, chapter 519, Part VVV. The amendment provides an appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services programs. The amendment makes money available for the wage increase October 1, 2006.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)