St. Paul, Minnesota — This afternoon, the Minnesota House of Representatives is expected to pass a package of COVID-19 economic security legislation. The bill, HF 1507, contains provisions for housing assistance, a wage increase for personal care assistants (PCA), funding to expand broadband access, and small business loans. State Representative Todd Lippert (DFL - Northfield), vice chair of the House Long-Term Care Division, helped craft the bill’s PCA provisions.
“Minnesota’s PCAs have deserved a wage increase for some time, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only compounded that need,” said Rep. Lippert. “Today’s bill delivers economic security to Minnesotans in many forms, and the increase in wages for PCAs will help support some of the most vulnerable in our state. As we continue to address COVID-19, it’s incredibly important that we ensure our elderly and disabled are able to get the support they need, and that their caregivers are fairly compensated.”
Minnesota’s personal care assistants (PCA) serve Minnesotans with disabilities, our seniors, and other vulnerable populations. The bill delivers a 15 percent temporary rate increase for personal care assistance services during the COVID-19 pandemic and makes other program modifications to help ensure vulnerable Minnesotans get the care they need. In addition to the 15 percent rate increase, PCAs can now be paid for 310 hours of services per month, up from 275. The bill allows a parent or legal guardian of a minor PCA recipient, or a spouse of a PCA recipient, to earn wages for providing PCA services during the peacetime emergency.
Video of the House floor debate can be found here.
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