House Human Services Committee Advances Ortitay, Benham Bill to Adjust Pay for Direct Support Professionals

October 6, 2026

HARRISBURG - The House Human Services Committee today sent to the full House legislation authored by Reps. Jason Ortitay (R Washington/Allegheny) and Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) that would require the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) to annually update the fee schedule rates for direct support professionals based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

"Direct support professionals do yeoman's work providing home and community-based services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism," Ortitay said. "These caring professionals allow Pennsylvanians to reach their highest level of independence and opportunity. Unfortunately, pay rates have not kept up with inflation, forcing direct support professionals to make some tough decisions. Our legislation will remedy this issue."

"When Direct Support Professionals are underpaid, people with disabilities can lose access to the support they rely on to live their lives to the fullest," said Benham. "If signed into law, this bill would be a huge step toward helping providers retain essential staff to care for more than 58,000 Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism."

Currently, DHS is required to update the data used to determine rates every three years but there is no requirement for the rate to increase. Under House Bill 1939, DHS would be required to increase fee schedule rates by the percentage change in the CPI for the most recently reported 12-month period. This increase would only occur if funds were appropriated. If insufficient funds were appropriated to pay for the increase, the percentage increase would be limited by the amount appropriated. If there is no change to the CPI, the fee schedule rates would remain unchanged for that year.

The 46th Legislative District includes South Fayette Township and McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Cecil, Chartiers, Mt. Pleasant and North Strabane (Districts 6,7,8 and 9) townships and Canonsburg, Houston and McDonald boroughs in Washington County.

Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
[email protected]
RepOrtitay.com / Facebook.com/RepOrtitay