HCAOA Bills Moving in Connecticut and California

​Regulatory burdens to home care agencies may soon be lighter thanks to HCAOA and its members in Connecticut and California. The association and chapters have made strides in advocating for and moving bills along that would ease the regulatory burdens faced by home care agencies in those states.

In Connecticut, Senate Bill 1025 was passed unanimously out of the Aging Committee in late February and now is being considered by each chamber of the legislature. HCAOA lobbyist Matt Hallisey and the state chapter are working hard to amend the bill to allow agencies to use the word “care” in their agency names and promotional materials. The Department of Consumer Protection opposes the use of this word and recently issued guidance stating their opposition.
 
A compromise is being proposed by HCAOA that would allow any homemaker-companion agency that was registered with a business name that includes the word "care" on or before January 1, 2023, to continue to do so.
 
In California, Senate Bill 730 is gaining steam and could be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee in the next few weeks.
 
SB730 would specify that authorized home care services include taking a reading of the client’s digital blood pressure, body temperature, or oxygen level from a device provided by the client and reporting the reading to the client’s nurse, doctor, or family representative and assisting the client with emptying their colostomy bag, catheter bag, or urostomy bag.
 
The bill would also clarify that a home care aide may assist with medication that the client self-administers by opening the container, filling the medication pill box organizer, ensuring that the client is aware of the written medication instructions, and assisting the client in the application of topical medication in certain circumstances.
 
HCAOA will continue to monitor and keep members apprised of the status of these bills as they progress through the legislative process.