​The Department of Finance has notified California Gov. Gavin Newsom poor economic conditions have necessitated expedited increases to the minimum wage. Changes in the consumer price index (CPI) from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 require the state to bring forward by one calendar year, from 2024 to 2023, the date when the state must annually adjust the minimum wage rate.

​The California Department of Aging (CDA) is designing a statewide training and incentive program called California GROWs (Growing a Resilient and Outstanding Workforce). California GROWs will incentivize, support, and fund career pathways for the direct care home and community-based services (HCBS) workforce. The program seeks to improve the skills, job satisfaction, and retention of the direct care workforce while providing opportunities for advancement.

​On June 8, 2022, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued an order defining “Close Contact” and “Infectious Period” for purposes of the CDPH’s Isolation and Quarantine Guidance issued on April 6, 2022. Because the definitions in the new Order directly affect requirements under the currently effective Third Revised COVID Emergency Temporary Standard, California employers should be aware of this development.

All 58 counties in California are under a state of emergency to due to extreme drought, so the California DSS, Community Care Licensing Division, issued an announcement for all community care licensed providers to prepare for extreme heat, public safety power shut offs, wildfire emergencies, and long-term drought conditions.

Agencies should be prepared, and can refer to Provider Information Notices (PINS) for extreme heat here and long-term drought conditions here for guidance on preparation, or use the Extreme Heat Action Plan as a reference.

On May 7, 2022, Cal/OSHA issued updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to the third readoption of the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (3rd Revised ETS), which was approved April 21, 2022, and is now in effect. 

The 3rd Revised ETS continues many of the same obligations set out in prior versions, but also sets forth substantive changes about which Cal/OSHA promised to provide guidance. Learn More

California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has approved the third readoption of its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard.

​The revised ETS will become effective when the Office of Administrative Law completes its review and files it with the Secretary of State, which is anticipated to occur this week and will  remain in effect through December 31, 2022. 
 
Learn More

California Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, a Democrat from the San Gabriel Valley, recently introduced AB2175, which would establish a California Wandering Prevention Task Force.

Individuals with a cognitive impairment, including those with Alzheimer’s, related dementias, and autism are at a substantial risk of wandering away from their homes. Ensuring safety for these populations is costly, time consuming, and often results in poor outcomes once they have begun to wander. AB2175 seeks to provide a statewide strategy to help one of California’s most vulnerable populations.
 
The task force would include 20 members. The HCAOA California Chapter is working to ensure it has a seat on the task force so that our voice can be heard on this important issue.

On April 6, 2022, Cal/OSHA issued a draft COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for readoption to replace the current version, which expires on May 5, 2022.

This is the fourth version of the ETS since Nov. 30, 2022. The California Occupational and Health Standards Board is scheduled to hear public comment and to vote on whether to approve the readopted ETS on April 21, 2022. If approved, and if left unmodified by executive order, the proposed ETS would be in effect through December 31, 2022.
 
Read more here.

California’s Labor Commissioner has updated its FAQs concerning 2022 COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (CPSL), answering some of employers’ more pressing questions about how this year’s more unique law operates. The answers are welcome news to many.

​HCAOA state chapters are focused on improving access to and the delivery of home care throughout the country. Whether it’s expanding the scope of services that home care aides in Illinois can provide, or advocating for auto accident victims in Michigan, or developing recommendations for Ohio’s new home care license law, or fighting against a bill that would prohibit non-solicitation clauses in Connecticut, HCAOA’s chapters have been doing great work on behalf of all members! Here are some highlights…

​Effective March 1, there is no longer a hard requirement under the Cal/OSHA statewide Emergency Temporary Standard (CA ETS) or any other statewide requirement for employers to require unvaccinated persons (or fully vaccinated persons) to mask indoors at work. Instead, the masking requirement applies only in specified settings such as health care, K-12 schools and childcare facilities, long-term care settings, and others.

​On February 16, the California Labor Commissioner published the mandatory posters concerning the 2022 COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (CPSL) law - which will take full effect on Saturday, February 19, 2022 - that an employer must display in English and Spanish. Further, and perhaps more important to employers struggling to interpret portions of the law, the Labor Commissioner also published FAQs.

​All HCAOA California Chapter members are invited to participate in a virtual advocacy event on Tuesday, March 8 and Wednesday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT from the safety and convenience of your home or office. Hear from Chapter leaders, the California Department of Social Services, and state legislative leaders about current challenges facing HCAOA members in California including issues with Guardian, vaccine mandates and pending legislation.

​All HCAOA California Chapter members are invited to participate in a virtual advocacy event on Tuesday, March 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT from the safety and convenience of your home or office to hear from Chapter leaders, the California Department of Social Services, and state legislative leadership.

​HCAOA has filed litigation in an attempt to block California’s home care registry law that gives home care workers’ personal contact information to unions. While we lost our case in a lower court, we filed an appeal and on January 12, oral argument in the AB 2455 appeal in the Ninth Circuit was held. Maury Baskin from the Littler firm argued the case on behalf of HCAOA to a three-judge panel consisting of two Obama appointees and one Reagan appointee. Attorneys for the State and the SEIU argued in opposition, challenging both HCAOA’s standing to sue and also denying that the Act was preempted by federal labor law.