(a) Notwithstanding Section 14005.12, when an individual residing in a long-term care facility would incur a long-term care patient liability for services under this chapter due to income that exceeds that allowed for the incidental and personal needs of the individual, a specified portion of the individual’s earned income from therapeutic wages shall be exempt. Therapeutic wages are wages earned by the individual under all of the following conditions:

(1) A physician who does not have a financial interest in the long-term care facility in which the individual resides, and who is in charge of the individual’s case, prescribes work as therapy for the individual.

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(2) The individual must be employed within the same long-term care facility where they reside.

(3) The individual’s employment does not displace any existing employees.

(4) The individual has resided in a long-term care facility for a continuous period commencing at least five years prior to the date of the addition of this section as originally adopted during the 1983-84 Regular Session.

(b) The amount of earned income from therapeutic wages that shall be exempt shall be the lesser of 70 percent of the gross therapeutic wages or 70 percent of the maintenance level as described in subdivision (b) of Section 14005.12.

(c) The provisions of this section shall be given retroactive effect for the period commencing June 1, 1983.

(d) This section shall not become operative unless and until the necessary waivers are obtained from the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(e) Notwithstanding the rulemaking provisions of Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, the department may implement this section by means of all-county letters, provider bulletins or notices, policy letters, or other similar instructions, without taking any further regulatory action. Within two calendar years of implementing subdivision (d) of Section 14005.12, the department shall adopt, amend, or repeal any necessary regulations.

(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2025, or the date certified by the department pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (b) of Section 14005.12, as added by Section 73 of Chapter 47 of the Statutes of 2022, whichever is later.

(Amended (as amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 738, Sec. 15) by Stats. 2023, Ch. 42, Sec. 74. (AB 118) Effective July 10, 2023. Conditionally operative on or after January 1, 2025, as prescribed by its own provisions.)