New Jersey Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Takes Effect July

A reminder to all members in New Jersey that the state’s Domestic Workers Bill of Rights takes effect in a few weeks and requires home care agencies, known as Health Care Services Firms in the state, to make several significant changes to their policies and practices. There has been a lot of discussion on the issue among home care providers, however there are many provisions in the law that already have rules, such as minimum wage, overtime, and workers’ comp, which providers already follow.

According to the HCAOA New Jersey Chapter, although the new law goes into effect in a few weeks, the new parts of the law that require rulemaking have not been promulgated or had a mandatory 60-day comment period yet. The Chapter will provide additional information as it becomes available.

The legislation, championed by labor organizations, includes caregivers in the term “domestic worker,” and requires agencies to enter into written agreements with their caregivers outlining, among other things, a list of specific job duties and a weekly schedule. The HCAOA NJ Chapter successfully advocated for amendments to the bill, mitigating its impact on the home care industry. Through extensive collaborative efforts, including in-person and virtual meetings, testimonies at committee hearings, and communication with legislators and industry partners, the Chapter played a pivotal role in influencing the final provisions of the legislation. 

HCAOA Associate Member Polsinelli has new template policies and documents available for agencies utilizing the Polsinelli Online Solutions for Home Care LLC (POSH). Click here for additional information.