General Fund; FY2026 appropriation to DMH for additional ID/DD Home- and Community-Based Waiver slots and additional staff.

2025 Regular Session

Allocates FY2026 General Fund to DMH to expand ID/DD HCBS waiver slots and staff, boosting access; but the bill died in committee.

Died In Committee

#appropriations

SB 3250 – General Fund FY2026 appropriation to DMH for additional ID/DD HCBS waiver slots and staff

Overview

SB 3250 is a proposed General Fund appropriation bill for fiscal year 2026 that would provide funding to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to expand the capacity of the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (ID/DD) Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver program. The bill also envisions hiring additional staff to administer and support these waivers.

Purpose and Scope

Aim: Increase access to HCBS waivers for individuals with ID/DD who would otherwise require institutional care, by adding slots and expanding the related staffing.

Policy change: The bill centers on a funding allocation rather than substantive changes to eligibility criteria or program rules. Its effectiveness would depend on appropriated funds and subsequent DMH implementation.

Key Provisions (as stated by the bill title)

General Fund allocation for FY2026 to DMH designated for ID/DD HCBS waiver expansion.

Creation or expansion of additional waiver slots under the ID/DD HCBS program.

Hiring of additional DMH staff to support the administration and delivery of these waiver services.

Fiscal Impact

Primary effect: New General Fund expenditures in FY2026 to fund more waiver slots and additional DMH personnel.

Specific amounts, the number of additional slots, and staffing levels are not provided in the bill text available.

Potential long-term cost considerations would depend on the ongoing need for staffing and any multi-year funding commitments or program renewals.

Affected Parties

Individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who would qualify for ID/DD HCBS waivers (and their families).

DMH and related program administration staff.

HCBS waiver providers and agencies that deliver services under the waiver.

Localities/counties involved in waiver administration and service coordination.

Procedural History

Introduced: February 26, 2025.

Legislative action: Referred to Appropriations (2025-02-26) and subsequently listed as Died In Committee (2025-02-26).

Status: Died in committee, meaning it did not advance to floor consideration or become law in the current session.

Implications and Next Steps

Because the bill died in committee, there is no enacted change to the FY2026 DMH budget or waiver capacity at this time.

If reintroduced in a future session, it would again require passage through Appropriations and the full legislature, with potential need for fiscal notes detailing cost, capacity, and anticipated impact on services.

Stakeholders may monitor budget hearings and DMH planning documents for any indication of prioritizing HCBS waiver expansion or staffing needs.

Note: This summary reflects the information provided and does not include any unreported bill text or fiscal notes.