Senate Committee Advances Bill to Support Home Care Workers, Address Workforce Shortage
HB25-1328 would improve working conditions, incomes, and access to information for home care workers
DENVER, CO – The Senate Business, Labor, and Technology Committee today passed legislation to improve working conditions for home care workers and increase access to in-home care.
HB25-1328, sponsored by Senators Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, and Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, would implement several recommendations from the Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board to support Colorado’s home care workforce.
“We must do better to support the essential workers who provide in-home care, which offers dignity and independence to so many Coloradans,” said Danielson. “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.”
“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 Bridges. “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 bill is about honoring their work, improving their livelihoods, and ensuring that those who care for others are cared for themselves.”
HB25-1328 would implement 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, paid “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.
The Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was created by legislation, also sponsored by Danielson, to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and address the workforce shortage. As Colorado’s population ages, implementing these recommendations would strengthen protections for industry workers and ensure access to in-home care for future aging and disabled populations.
HB25-1328 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.