Bill > A5137

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the Direct Care Worker Support Program in the Department of Health (department). The purpose of the program will be to provide support to direct care workers by assisting direct care workers with childcare and transportation expenses and by examining wage gaps between different types of direct care workers. The program will provide financial assistance to direct care workers to assist with the cost of childcare and transportation expenses, in accordance with any requirements established by the department to implement the program. The commissioner will adopt eligibility criteria for providing financial assistance to individuals under the program. A direct care worker who wishes to receive financial assistance from the program will submit an application in a form and manner to be determined by the commissioner. The bill requires the department to conduct a study examining the wages of direct care workers and any wage gaps that exist between different types of direct care workers, and to prepare and submit a written report to the Governor and Legislature, which will include, but not be limited to, a summary of the department's findings and any of the department's recommendations for administrative or legislative action concerning direct care worker wages, including any recommendations or strategies to increase direct care worker wages or to promote fair compensation and support for direct care workers. The bill appropriates from the General Fund to the Department of Health such sums as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this bill.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Shanique Speight (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 12/16/2024)

Official Document