Bill to Boost Incomes, Address Home Care Workforce Shortage Becomes Law
DENVER, CO - Governor Jared Polis today signed legislation into law to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care.
“This law uplifts the voices of home care workers, who are more often women and women of color, to ensure they have safe working conditions and earn a livable wage,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “We’re implementing recommendations crafted by care workers, employers and direct care consumers to create a home care industry that works for all Coloradans. I’m proud to stand by both home care workers and patients to improve everyday life for our residents.”
“We must do better to support the essential workers who provide in-home care, which offers dignity and independence to so many Coloradans,” said Sen. Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge. “I sponsored the 2023 legislation that created this oversight board, and now it’s time to act on their recommendations. These workers deserve more than our gratitude – they deserve fair pay, stronger protections, and clear access to information on their rights and the compensation they’re entitled to.”
“We’re supporting the direct care workforce to ensure Coloradans have access to the quality health care that they deserve,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Our state is falling behind when it comes to providing in-home care services for aging Coloradans, which is why we’re addressing the home care workforce shortage. This law works to respond to the needs of our care workforce to support working families and create a strong, qualified in-home care workforce.”
“In-home care workers care for our parents, our grandparents, our loved ones with disabilities, and so many others who deserve to live safely and with dignity in their own homes,” said Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County. “While these care providers take care of our family and friends, they often face low pay and poor working conditions, making it hard to stay in the profession. As a result, Colorado is facing a shortage of in-home care workers. This new law is about honoring their work, improving their livelihoods, and ensuring that those who care for others are cared for themselves.”
HB25-1328 implements recommendations from the Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board, including:
Requiring the board to investigate how health care benefits for direct care workers compare to other industries and how to reduce costs,
Establishing a free “Know Your Rights” training, including information regarding wages, rules for travel time, how to file a complaint, current state and federal laws and where they can find more information,
Investigating violations related to training and labor standards and fining employers who violate direct care workforce regulations, and
Creating a website and communication platform that includes various trainings, information on worker’s rights, access to benefits, recruitment opportunities and other information.
Increasing the minimum wage for direct care service workers to $17 per hour starting July 1, 2025, and recommending future minimum wage increases.
The Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was created by legislation, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran and Sen. Danielson, to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and address the workforce crisis. Rep. Sirota and Sen. Bridges sponsored a 2024 law creating a state income tax credit for child care workers and direct care workers to boost incomes and address workforce shortages.