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Committee backs 25% pay increase for contracted Birth to 3 therapists in committee substitute

2574156 · March 11, 2025

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Summary

A committee substitute for Senate Bill 707 that would mandate a 25% pay increase for contracted Birth to 3 therapists beginning July 1, 2025, was reported to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass and a referral to the Finance Committee.

A committee substitute for Senate Bill 707 that would require a 25% mandatory payment increase for therapists and other professionals contracted to provide in‑person services under the Birth to 3 early intervention program was reported to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass and a first referral to the Finance Committee.

The committee’s counsel summarized the substitute: it "establishes a mandatory payment increase of 25% for therapists and other professionals who are contracted to provide services to the birth to 3 program beginning 07/01/2025." Counsel added that recipients of the increase must not be employees of any state agency and that the committee substitute limits the increase to services provided in person. Counsel said a fiscal note has been requested, the Department of Health would be affected, and the substitute’s effective date is July 1, 2025.

A sponsor and other members emphasized the program’s role in early intervention. One senator said Birth to 3 services "make the greatest difference for citizens in our state" and described losing specialists to higher pay across state lines; the senator said the 25% increase "is just not even close" to fully closing the gap but would help retain providers. Counsel told the committee the last payment increase for Birth to 3 was February 2003. The committee voted by voice to agree to the committee substitute and to report it to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass; the chair declared "the ayes have it."