HB 2938
AN ACT relating to attendant care services under Medicaid and other
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
This Texas bill allows family members to serve as personal attendants for Medicaid and related social service programs, expanding care options for individuals needing assistance with daily living activities. The legislation establishes a minimum base wage for personal attendants, ensuring they are paid at least the federal minimum wage, which will help support and professionalize these critical caregiving roles. Starting in 2026, the bill will enable more flexible care arrangements for individuals with disabilities or medical needs while providing fair compensation for family members providing essential attendant care services.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to attendant care services under Medicaid and other programs administered by the Health and Human Services Commission, including establishing a minimum base wage for certain personal attendants providing those services and allowing family members to BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 546, Government Code, as effective April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Section 546.0107 to Sec. 546.0107. FAMILY MEMBERS AS PERSONAL ATTENDANTS. (a) In this section, "personal attendant" and "attendant care services" have the meanings assigned by Section 546.0751. (b) This section applies only with respect to the following programs administered by the commission: (1) Medicaid, including a waiver or other program (A) Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42 (B) Section 1915(b), (c), or (k) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(b), (c), or (k)); or (C) Section 1929 of the Social Security Act (42 (2) a program authorized under Subtitle A, Title XX, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1397 et seq.). (c) To the extent permitted by federal law, a personal attendant who provides attendant care services to a consumer may be a family member of the consumer, including the consumer's parent or SECTION 2. Chapter 546, Government Code, as effective April 1, 2025, is amended by adding Subchapter P to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER P. PERSONAL ATTENDANT SERVICES Sec. 546.0751. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Attendant care services" means nonmedical services that enable an individual to engage in the activities of daily living or to perform the physical functions required for (A) bathing, dressing, grooming, feeding, exercising, toileting, positioning, routine hair and skin care, and (B) transfer or ambulation, transportation, and other mobility support services; (C) light housekeeping, grocery shopping, meal preparation, laundry, and other household assistance; (D) assisting with self-administered (E) monitoring health-related needs and other (2) "Personal attendant" means an individual who is engaged as an employee or subcontractor to directly provide attendant care services to an individual eligible to receive those services under a program administered by the commission. Sec. 546.0752. MINIMUM BASE WAGE FOR PERSONAL ATTENDANTS. (a) This section applies only with respect to the following programs administered by the commission: (1) Medicaid, including a waiver or other program (A) Section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42 (B) Section 1915(b), (c), or (k) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1396n(b), (c), or (k)); or (C) Section 1929 of the Social Security Act (42 (2) a program authorized under Subtitle A, Title XX, of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1397 et seq.). (b) Notwithstanding Section 62.051 or 62.151, Labor Code, or any other law, a personal attendant providing attendant care services under a program to which this section applies must be paid a base wage that is not less than the greater of: (2) the federal minimum wage under Section 6, Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. Section 206). Sec. 546.0753. RULES. The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this subchapter. SECTION 3. Section 546.0752, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2026 calendar year. SECTION 4. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to attendant care services under Medicaid and other
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