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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scot Heckert and 3 co-sponsors

HB 3051 boosts rural developmental disability services by raising provider pay for long travel/time and creating grants to fund telehealth and other tech to expand access.

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HB 3051 — Summary (104th General Assembly)

Title: Relating to fitness to proceed (adds access supports for rural developmental disabilities services)
Primary sponsor: Rep. Sharon Chung
Statute amended: Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act (adds new Sec. 54.3; 20 ILCS 1705/54.3 new)
Introduced: First reading Feb 6, 2025; filed with clerk Feb 19, 2025
Current status: In committee upon adjournment (6/28/2025)

Purpose / intent

HB 3051 aims to improve access to developmental disabilities services in rural areas by (1) requiring the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) to adopt rules increasing provider compensation to reflect transportation- and distance-related burdens, and (2) creating a DHS grant program to incentivize use of assistive and innovative technologies that expand access to care.

Key provisions

Adds Section 54.3 to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act.

Definitions:

“Rural” provider or program: a developmental disabilities provider or program located at least 35 driving miles from any other rural provider, hospital, or other location that provides developmental disability services.
“Facility”: developmental disabilities provider or program operated by the State or a political subdivision (per bill language).

Transportation compensation rules:

DHS must adopt rules governing rural provider compensation.
Rules must increase rates to account for significant transportation challenges and barriers, including but not limited to travel time over one hour each way or travel distances of 35+ miles, and last-minute appointment cancellations.
Increased reimbursement must compensate rural providers for:
Extended travel time and mileage; and
Staff time or other resources required to deliver developmental disabilities services in rural areas.

Innovative technology grant program:

DHS must create a grant program to incentivize and support assistive technologies and innovative services to increase access to services delivered by rural providers.
Examples listed in the bill: telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and other technologies/services that reduce geographic or transportation barriers.

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: individuals with developmental disabilities living in rural Illinois who face limited access to providers.

Providers: rural developmental disabilities providers (community providers, state/local programs) who would receive increased reimbursement and may be eligible for grants.

State agencies: DHS must promulgate rules and administer the grant program; potential budgetary/administrative impacts.

Procedural history / timeline highlights

Multiple committee referrals and hearings: Judiciary; Behavioral Health and Health Care; Appropriations–Health & Human Services; Public Education; Rules; Addiction and Community Safety Response.

Public hearings and work sessions occurred (Mar–Apr 2025).

As of adjournment 6/28/2025, bill remains in committee.

Considerations / potential impacts

Improved provider viability and client access in sparsely populated areas through higher reimbursements and technology grants.

Implementation will require DHS rulemaking and the creation/administration of a grant program; the bill does not specify funding sources or appropriations, so additional legislative action or budget allocations may be needed to operationalize the changes.

Details on rate formulas, grant criteria, and program budgets will be determined in DHS rulemaking and grant program design.