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DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Monica Duran and Representative Emily Sirota to boost the incomes and working conditions for home care workers and increase access to care. HB25-1328 passed by a vote of 43-22.
“This bill 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. “Our legislation would implement 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’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 bill works to respond to the needs of our care workforce to support working families and create a strong, qualified in-home care workforce.”
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 “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, sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, to make recommendations to improve working conditions for direct care workers and address the workforce crisis. Rep. Sirota 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.