All members in California are invited to a special virtual meeting on November 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. PT to meet and hear from Jude de la Concepcion, the new Branch Chief of the Home Care Service Branch (HCSB) at the California Department of Social Services, as she shares updates and answers your questions.

Last week, on World Alzheimer’s Day, California Gov. Newsom signed a bill (SB 1249) to conform the Older Californians Act to the federal Older Americans Act, ensuring that California is in full compliance with the recently published final federal Administration for Community Living regulations before they take effect in October 2025.  It also requires the California Department of Aging to develop, on or before September 2025, in consultation with AAAs and stakeholders, key new provisions, including performance metrics, core programs and services, funding formulas, and a statewide engagement plan to improve outreach to underrepresented populations and underserved communities.

California’s new Health Care Workers Minimum Wage Law (S.B. 525), set to take effect July 1, has been delayed until October 15 at the earliest. Therefore, employers do NOT have to pay the higher minimum wage for health care facilities that was scheduled to go into effect on July 1, according to HCAOA Associate Member Attorney Bob King of Legally Nanny.

On July 1, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills, Senate Bill 92 and Assembly Bill 2288, that amend the state’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), which deputizes private parties to enforce the Labor Code on behalf of the state.

​While the state minimum wage increases on January 1 of each year, local minimum wages usually increase on July 1. Employers with employees in Alameda, Belmont, Berkeley, Burlingame, Cupertino, Daly City, East Palo Alto, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Foster City, Fremont, Half Moon Bay, Hayward, Los Altos, Los Angeles (city and county), Malibu, Menlo Park, Milpitas, Mountain View, Novato, Oakland, Palo Alto, Pasadena, Petaluma, Redwood City, Richmond, San Carlos, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Mateo (city and county), Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Monica, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, South San Francisco, Sunnyvale and West Hollywood should doublecheck their local ordinances to make sure they are paying the latest minimum wage.

As of 7/1, California employers must have a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan in place. The state has published a model plan, which can be viewed here.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, legislative leaders, and business and labor groups announced this week that they reached an agreement on needed reforms to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Legislation reflecting this agreement is set to be introduced next week and enactment sought by next Thursday, June 27. Once the legislation is passed and signed into law by the Governor, proponents of the PAGA ballot initiative eligible for the November ballot have agreed to withdraw their measure.

California’s new Health Care Workers Minimum Wage Law (S.B. 525) has received a lot of attention for phasing in a $25 minimum wage for many health care employees. Even as the law takes effect in less than two weeks, there are varying opinions about how it impacts home care companies in the state.

HCAOA has been following California’s newly-implemented minimum wage law (SB 525), which will increase the minimum wage for health care workers to $25 per hour in the coming years and how it impacts home care agencies. This legislation has sparked significant interest due to its implications for minimum wage adjustments for California healthcare workers. However, its impact on home care agencies may not be as widespread. Generally, the new law impacts home care agencies in two specific scenarios: subcontracting arrangements and affiliation with hospital systems.

All California members are encouraged to complete the Care Provider Management System (CPMS) Survey by May 27. This brief 4-question survey will assist the California Department of Social Services in identifying existing features and capabilities from Guardian that you would like carried over into the future system (CPMS) or new features you would like added. Your feedback will help shape the new system to better serve your needs.

HCAOA member Your Home Assistant was honored with the 2024 Business of the Year award for the City of Elk Grove, CA! Congratulations on your dedication to delivering exemplary caregiving services to your local community.

California Chapter Leadership is requesting members to send letters of support for AB 2185. Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson is sponsoring AB 2185, which would prohibit Domestic Referral Agencies (DRAs) from compensating home care workers and independent contractors, which has become more and more of an issue in California, especially in recent years as the demand for services grows. AB 2185 would allow Domestic Referral Agencies to continue to provide referral services but not allow them to function as unlicensed home care organizations by compensating domestic workers who provide care to seniors on an ongoing basis without being a licensed home care organization and the licensing requirements that are required of home care organizations and protections for home care aides and seniors.

Last week, more than 40 HCAOA members and staff spent the day at the state Capitol in Sacramento asking lawmakers and members of the Newsom Administration to support a bill to protect seniors and families hiring in-home support. The main issue of discussion for the day was AB 2185, which would prohibit Domestic Referral Agencies (DRAs) from compensating home care workers and independent contractors, which has become more and more of an issue in California, especially in recent years as the demand for services grows. Even if you were not able to attend the Advocacy Day, you can still do your part by sending a letter of support to your lawmakers.