Bill > A00601

This bill establishes the Home Care Jobs Innovation Program and Fund to address workforce challenges in home care services. The program, jointly managed by the Department of Health and Office for Aging, will identify, develop, and support projects aimed at increasing the number of home care workers and improving their employment retention. The initiative will provide grants of $100,000 to $1,000,000 for three state fiscal years (2025-2028), with funding available for both for-profit and non-profit projects across rural and urban areas. Grants can be used for project evaluation, administration, implementation, and employee-related costs like compensation and bonuses. A special fund will be created to receive and manage these funds, with monies to be expended specifically for granting awards to qualifying projects. The bill appropriates $5 million from the state treasury to support the program, and it will automatically expire on April 1, 2028, ensuring a time-limited approach to addressing home care workforce challenges.

Health and Social Services

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A601