First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED
LLS NO. 25-0499.03 Kristen Forrestal x4217
HOUSE BILL 25-1328
House Committees Senate Committees
Health & Human Services
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING THE IMPLEMENTATI ON OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS101
MADE BY THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE STABILIZATION BOARD .102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill implements recommendations made by the direct care
workforce stabilization board (board) by:
! Requiring the board to investigate health-care benefits for
the direct care workforce;
! Requiring the department of labor and employment
(department) to collaborate with the board and other
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Duran and Sirota,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Danielson and Bridges,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. entities to establish a comprehensive "know your rights"
training for direct care workers;
! Requiring the department to ensure that the "know your
rights" training is available to direct care workers, to allow
worker organizations to participate in the training free of
charge, and to report direct care worker training completion
information to the board; and
! Requiring direct care employers to conduct and document
direct care worker training attendance, distribute a notice
of rights to direct care workers, and inform all employees
about the direct care worker website and communication
platform established by the department of health care
policy and financing.
The bill also requires the director of the division of labor standards
and statistics (director) in the department to provide compliance
assistance to direct care employers and investigate possible violations by
the employers. The director is also required to enforce compliance with
the requirements in the bill.
To implement the board's recommendations, the bill also requires
the department of health care policy and financing to:
! Establish a website and communication platform for direct
care workers;
! In coordination with the board, develop a direct care
worker-specific notice of rights for direct care employers;
! Collaborate with direct care employers to inform direct
care workers about the website and communication
platform;
! Allow specified entities access to the contact information
of each direct care worker enrolled in the communication
platform; and
! Convene and administer an interested party advisory group
pursuant to federal requirements.
The bill also establishes the direct care worker minimum wage at
$17 per hour beginning July 1, 2025, and encourages the state to set the
minimum wage for direct care workers at $25 per hour by January 1,
2028.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) Colorado's long-term care system is in crisis;4
HB25-1328-2- (b) Colorado's population of adults aged 65 and older is projected1
to grow by 36% by 2030, reaching 1.2 million people. Meanwhile, the2
state relies on just 59,000 direct care workers to meet this growing3
demand, which is far too few to ensure everyone who needs care can4
access it.5
(c) Over 80% of Colorado's direct care workforce are women, and6
44% are women of color;7
(d) Not all direct care workers are paid a livable wage, many do8
not have basic benefits like personal time off and health insurance, and9
some experience wage theft and workplace discrimination, leading to a10
high turnover rate;11
(e) In 2023, the general assembly established the direct care12
workforce stabilization board, bringing direct care workers, individuals13
receiving care, and direct care industry representatives to study the14
systemic issues driving high turnover and direct care worker shortages;15
(f) By 2028, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid16
Services will require states to report the percentage of Medicaid payments17
made for direct care worker compensation; and18
(g) The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services19
provides states with 90% of federal funding to implement the direct care20
worker communication platforms.21
(2) Therefore, the intent of the general assembly is to implement22
the direct care workforce stabilization board's recommendations to23
stabilize the state's direct care workforce and to ensure Coloradans have24
access to the high-quality, comprehensive, in-home care they need. The25
recommendations include compliance with federal laws and regulations26
concerning payment of direct care workers and the acceptance of federal27
HB25-1328
-3- money to support a communication platform.1
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-7.5-104, add (3.5)2
as follows:3
8-7.5-104. Duties of the board - recommendations for4
minimum direct care employment standards - analysis of market5
conditions - public outreach - report. (3.5) T
HE BOARD SHALL6
INVESTIGATE HEALTH-CARE BENEFITS FOR THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE ,7
INCLUDING THE OVERALL COSTS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY IN COMPARISON TO8
OTHER SIMILAR INDUSTRIES, THE IMPLICATIONS OF A FAMILY CAREGIVER9
MODEL FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS ON HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS ,10
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE , AND11
REDUCING THE COST OF CARE AND HOW TO FUND THE HEALTH -CARE12
BENEFITS.13
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 8-7.5-108 and14
8-7.5-109 as follows:15
8-7.5-108. Direct care employers - direct care worker rights16
training - direct care worker communication platform - direct care17
worker website. (1) B
Y JANUARY 1, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL18
COLLABORATE WITH THE BOARD AND ANY OTHER ENTITIES DEEMED19
RELEVANT BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A COMPREHENSIVE "KNOW20
YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS THAT INCLUDES21
INFORMATION CONCERNING :22
(a) T
HE DIRECT CARE WORKER BASE WAGE ;23
(b) W
AGES AND HOURS FOR OVERTIME WORK ;24
(c) T
HE "HEALTHY FAMILIES AND WORKPLACES ACT", PART 4 OF25
ARTICLE 13.3 OF THIS TITLE 8;26
(d) T
HE "FAMILY CARE ACT", PART 2 OF TITLE 13.3 OF THIS TITLE27
HB25-1328
-4- 8;1
(e) T
HE FEDERAL "PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE2
A
CT", PUB.L. 111-148, AS IT RELATES TO WORKER RIGHTS;3
(f) T
RAVEL TIME RULES, AS THE RULES RELATE TO THE4
EMPLOYMENT OF DIRECT CARE WORKERS ;5
(g) C
IVIL RIGHTS PROTECTED BY COLORADO LAW THAT ARE6
RELEVANT TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF DIRECT CARE WORKERS ;7
(h) W
HERE A DIRECT CARE WORKER CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE8
TOPICS COVERED IN THE TRAINING;9
(i) W
HERE AND HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT , INCLUDING RIGHTS10
SECURED UNDER THE "PROTECTING OPPORTUNITIES AND WORKERS'11
R
IGHTS ACT", SENATE BILL 23-172, ENACTED IN 2023; AND12
(j) T
HE CONTENTS OF THE WEBSITE ESTABLISHED IN SECTION13
25.5-1-208,
HOW TO USE THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM ESTABLISHED14
IN SECTION 25.5-1-208, THE BENEFITS TO THE DIRECT CARE WORKER OF15
PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM , HOW DIRECT CARE16
WORKER CONTACT INFORMATION WILL BE USED , AND HOW TO OPT IN TO17
AND OPT OUT OF THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM .18
(2) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL:19
(a) E
NSURE THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS"20
TRAINING REQUIRED TO BE ESTABLISHED BY SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS21
SECTION IS AVAILABLE TO DIRECT CARE WORKERS AND DIRECT CARE22
EMPLOYERS;23
(b) A
LLOW WORKER ORGANIZATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE24
"
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING;25
(c) N
OT CHARGE A FEE TO DIRECT CARE EMPLOYERS OR DIRECT26
CARE WORKERS FOR THE "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING; AND27
HB25-1328
-5- (d) REPORT PERIODICALLY TO THE BOARD CONCERNING DIRECT1
CARE WORKER COMPLETION OF THE "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING.2
(3) A
DIRECT CARE EMPLOYER SHALL:3
(a) R
EQUIRE EACH DIRECT CARE WORKER TO PROVIDE4
DOCUMENTATION OF A COMPLETED "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING OR TO5
ATTEND THE "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING ADMINISTERED BY THE6
DEPARTMENT THAT IS IN PLACE PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 2026, AND THE7
"
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS" TRAINING ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION8
(1)
OF THIS SECTION DURING THE DIRECT CARE WORKER 'S REGULAR PAID9
WORK HOURS AND AT NO CHARGE TO THE DIRECT CARE WORKER OR TO A10
DIRECT CARE CONSUMER;11
(b) D
ISTRIBUTE A DIRECT CARE WORKER -SPECIFIC NOTICE OF12
RIGHTS DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN COORDINATION WITH THE13
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING PURSUANT TO14
SECTION 25.5-1-208 (3)(a) TO EACH DIRECT CARE WORKER AT THE TIME OF15
HIRE THAT INCLUDES INFORMATION ON THE "KNOW YOUR RIGHTS "16
TRAINING;17
(c) I
NFORM ALL EMPLOYEES ABOUT THE DIRECT CARE WORKER18
WEBSITE AND COMMUNICATION PLATFORM ESTABLISHED BY THE19
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FINANCING PURSUANT TO20
SECTION 25.5-1-208; AND21
(d) I
NFORM EACH DIRECT CARE WORKER OF THE CONTENTS OF THE22
WEBSITE AND COMMUNICATION PLATFORM , HOW TO USE THE PLATFORM,23
HOW TO OPT IN TO THE PLATFORM, HOW CONTACT INFORMATION MAY BE24
SHARED, AND HOW TO OPT OUT OF THE ENROLLMENT IN AND25
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PLATFORM .26
8-7.5-109. Compliance assistance - violations - enforcement.27
HB25-1328
-6- (1) THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS AND1
STATISTICS SHALL PROVIDE COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE TO DIRECT CARE2
EMPLOYERS AS WARRANTED AND SHALL INVESTIGATE LEADS CONCERNING3
POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OF THE TRAINING AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS SET4
FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 7.5 AND OTHER ALLEGED LABOR VIOLATIONS5
AGAINST DIRECT CARE WORKERS THAT , IN THE DIRECTOR'S GOOD FAITH6
DISCRETION AND JUDGMENT, WARRANT INVESTIGATION.7
(2) T
HE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS AND8
STATISTICS SHALL ENFORCE COMPLIANCE AND SHALL IMPOSE A FINE ON A9
DIRECT CARE EMPLOYER THAT VIOLATES THIS ARTICLE 7.5 OF ONE10
HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH DIRECT CARE WORKER AFFECTED BY EACH11
VIOLATION; EXCEPT THAT A DIRECT CARE EMPLOYER THAT12
DEMONSTRATES A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO COMPLY WITH THIS ARTICLE 7.513
IS NOT SUBJECT TO A FINE FOR THE EMPLOYER 'S FIRST VIOLATION. THE14
DIRECTOR SHALL DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF THE FINE FOR EACH VIOLATION15
AFTER A SECTION VIOLATION BY AN EMPLOYER .16
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 25.5-1-208 and17
25.5-1-209 as follows:18
25.5-1-208. Direct care worker website and communication19
platform - enrollment of direct care workers - training, worker20
rights, employment matching - department of labor and employment21
access - gifts, grants, or donations - definitions. (1) A
S USED IN THIS22
SECTION AND SECTION 25.5-1-209, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE23
REQUIRES:24
(a) "B
OARD" MEANS THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE STABILIZATION25
BOARD CREATED IN SECTION 8-7.5-103.26
(b) "D
IRECT CARE CONSUMER" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN27
HB25-1328
-7- SECTION 8-7.5-102.1
(c) "D
IRECT CARE EMPLOYER" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN2
SECTION 8-7.5-102.3
(d) "D
IRECT CARE SERVICES" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN4
SECTION 8-7.5-102.5
(e) "D
IRECT CARE WORKER" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN6
SECTION 8-7.5-102.7
(f) "M
EDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM " MEANS THE "COLORADO8
M
EDICAL ASSISTANCE ACT", ARTICLES 4 TO 6 OF THIS TITLE 25.5.9
(g) "P
LATFORM" OR "COMMUNICATION PLATFORM " MEANS THE10
DIRECT CARE WORKER COMMUNICATION PLATFORM CREATED IN THIS11
SECTION.12
(h) "W
EBSITE" MEANS THE DIRECT CARE WORKER WEBSITE13
CREATED IN THIS SECTION.14
(i) "W
ORKER ORGANIZATION" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN15
SECTION 8-7.5-102.16
(2) T
HE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL COLLABORATE WITH THE17
BOARD TO ESTABLISH A DIRECT CARE WORKER WEBSITE AND18
COMMUNICATION PLATFORM FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS . THE STATE19
DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT THE PLATFORM :20
(a) S
UPPORTS DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS IN IDENTIFYING AND21
EMPLOYING QUALIFIED DIRECT CARE WORKERS ;22
(b) F
ACILITATES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF DIRECT CARE23
WORKERS PAID THROUGH REIMBURSEMENT BY THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE24
PROGRAM;25
(c) E
NSURES ACCESS TO CARE FOR ALL MEMBERS ;26
(d) S
UPPORTS THE STATE DEPARTMENT IN MONITORING ACCESS TO27
HB25-1328
-8- AND QUALITY OF CARE FOR DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS WHO RECEIVE1
DIRECT CARE SERVICES;2
(e) P
ROVIDES A REGULAR CADENCE OF COMMUNICATION BY THE3
STATE DEPARTMENT, TO BE DETERMINED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE4
BOARD, TO WORKERS WHO HAVE OPTED IN TO THE COMMUNICATION5
PLATFORM, INCLUDING UPDATES FROM THE BOARD , RELEVANT STATE6
DEPARTMENT INITIATIVES, AND POTENTIAL CHANGES TO WORKER RIGHTS7
AND BENEFITS;8
(f) M
AINTAINS AN ELECTRONIC EMPLOYMENT MATCHING SYSTEM9
TO HELP DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS IDENTIFY DIRECT CARE WORKERS WITH10
THE RIGHT AVAILABILITY AND SKILL SET , EXPERIENCE WITH DEMENTIA,11
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, AND SPECIFIC CERTIFICATIONS; AND12
(g) P
ROVIDES EACH DIRECT CARE WORKER WITH THE OPPORTUNITY13
TO OPT IN TO AND OPT OUT OF THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM .14
(3) T
HE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL :15
(a) I
N COORDINATION WITH THE BOARD , DEVELOP A DIRECT CARE16
WORKER-SPECIFIC NOTICE OF RIGHTS FOR DIRECT CARE EMPLOYERS TO17
DISTRIBUTE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-7.5-108 (3)(b);18
AND19
(b) C
OLLABORATE WITH DIRECT CARE EMPLOYERS TO INFORM20
DIRECT CARE WORKERS OF THE BENEFITS OF THE PLATFORM .21
(4) (a) T
HE WEBSITE MUST INCLUDE:22
(I) T
RAINING ON DIRECT CARE WORKER BASIC JOB DUTIES , HEALTH23
AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE , AND HOW TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY24
COMPETENT CARE;25
(II) I
NFORMATION REGARDING DIRECT CARE WORKER RIGHTS ,26
INCLUDING INCREASES TO THE DIRECT CARE WORKER BASE WAGE ; THE27
HB25-1328
-9- "HEALTHY FAMILIES AND WORKPLACES ACT", PART 4 OF ARTICLE 13.3 OF1
TITLE 8; NEW LABOR LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, AND PRACTICES; OR2
OTHER LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, AND PROCESSES DESIGNED TO3
STABILIZE THE DIRECT CARE WORKFORCE ;4
(III) A
CALENDAR OF THE TRAINING EVENTS THAT ARE PROVIDED5
BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO DIRECT CARE6
WORKERS CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF DIRECT CARE WORKERS AND THE7
INFORMATION THAT CAN BE LEARNED IN EACH TRAINING ;8
(IV) T
HE ABILITY FOR COMMUNICATION PLATFORM USERS TO OPT9
IN TO AND OPT OUT OF PLATFORM COMMUNICATIONS ;10
(V) C
OMMUNICATION ON HOW DIRECT CARE WORKERS CAN11
ACCESS MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BENEFITS , INCLUDING:12
(A) M
EDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM BUY -IN FOR WORKING13
ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES; AND14
(B) M
EDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER IN THE DIRECT15
CARE WORKER'S HOUSEHOLD WITH A DISABILITY OR WHO IS SIXTY -FIVE16
YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER;17
(VI) A
CCESS TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT 'S CORE CURRICULUM18
TRAINING; AND19
(VII) A
LINK TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S DIRECT CARE WORKER20
SURVEY.21
(b) T
HE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW AND APPROVE ALL22
WEBSITE AND COMMUNICATION PLATFORM CONTENT FOR ACCURACY23
BEFORE IT IS POSTED PUBLICLY.24
(5) (a) W
ITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE25
COMMUNICATION PLATFORM AND EVERY THREE MONTHS THEREAFTER ,26
THE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND27
HB25-1328
-10- EMPLOYMENT, WORKER ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS, AND1
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS TO HAVE2
ACCESS TO THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EACH DIRECT CARE WORKER3
ENROLLED IN THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM TO INFORM THE WORKER4
OF THEIR RIGHTS, TO SUPPORT THE WORKER IN ENGAGING WITH THE5
BOARD, AND TO ACCOMPLISH THE COMMUNICATION PLATFORM 'S DIRECT6
CARE CONSUMER-MATCHING FUNCTIONS.7
(b) I
N FULFILLING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THIS SECTION, THE STATE8
DEPARTMENT, WORKER ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS, AND9
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS MUST COMPLY10
WITH APPLICABLE LAWS AND RULES PROTECTING PERS ONALLY11
IDENTIFYING INFORMATION . WORKER ORGANIZATIONS AND12
ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING DIRECT CARE CONSUMERS SHALL NOT13
HAVE ACCESS TO THE NAME OR PRIVATE DATA OF ANY DIRECT CARE14
CONSUMER OR DIRECT CARE CONSUMER 'S REPRESENTATIVE OR INDICATE15
THAT AN INDIVIDUAL DIRECT CARE WORKER IS A DIRECT CARE16
CONSUMER'S RELATIVE OR HAS THE SAME ADDRESS AS A DIRECT CARE17
CONSUMER.18
25.5-1-209. Duties of the state department - recommendations19
for minimum direct care employment standards - analysis of market20
conditions - public outreach - advisory group - report. (1) T
HE21
DEFINITIONS IN SECTION 25.5-1-208 APPLY TO THIS SECTION.22
(2) (a) P
URSUANT TO THE FEDERAL CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND23
MEDICAID REQUIREMENTS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL CONVENE AN24
INTERESTED PARTIES ADVISORY GROUP AT LEAST EVERY TWO YEARS AND25
AS OFTEN AS THE STATE DEPARTMENT DEEMS NECESSARY . THE ADVISORY26
GROUP MUST INCLUDE HEALTH -CARE PROVIDERS, REPRESENTATIVES OF27
HB25-1328
-11- THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND1
EMPLOYMENT, REPRESENTATIVES OF WORKER ORGANIZATIONS , AND2
REPRESENTATIVES OF INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS . THE ADVISORY GROUP3
SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD CONCERNING ADEQUATE4
WAGES AND OTHER WORKFORCE SUPPORT FOR DIRECT CARE WORKERS .5
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ADMINISTER THE ADVISORY GROUP6
IN ACCORDANCE WITH 42 CFR 447.203 (b)(6).7
(c) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), ON OR8
BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER , THE STATE9
DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT TO THE BOARD AND THE JOINT BUDGET10
COMMITTEE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY :11
(I) T
HE PERCENTAGE OF HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES12
PAYMENTS THAT DIRECT CARE WORKERS RECEIVED IN COMPENSATION ,13
INCLUDING SALARIES, WAGES, BENEFITS, AND PAYROLL TAXES, IN THE14
PREVIOUS STATE FISCAL YEAR; AND15
(II) T
HE PERCENTAGE OF HOME - AND COMMUNITY -BASED16
SERVICES PAYMENTS THAT DIRECT CARE EMPLOYERS RECEIVED IN THE17
PREVIOUS STATE FISCAL YEAR.18
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 25.5-6-1603, amend19
(2) as follows:20
25.5-6-1603. Minimum wage - wage pass-through requirement21
for certain home care agencies - applicability - reports - recovery.22
(2) (a) On and after July 1, 2020
JULY 1, 2025, the hourly minimum wage23
RATE for persons INDIVIDUALS who provide DIRECT CARE SERVICES,24
INCLUDING personal care services, homemaker services, or in-home25
support services for which a home care agency may receive26
reimbursement pursuant to the "Colorado Medical Assistance Act", is27
HB25-1328
-12- twelve dollars and forty-one cents SEVENTEEN DOLLARS per hour.1
(b) T
HE STATE IS ENCOURAGED TO INSTITUTE AN HOURLY2
MINIMUM WAGE RATE OF TWENTY -FIVE DOLLARS PER HOUR BY JANUARY3
1,
2028, FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO PROVIDE DIRECT CARE SERVICES .4
(c) T
HE STATE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENFORCE THE MINIMUM DIRECT5
CARE WORKER BASE WAGE THAT IS REQUIRED BY THIS SUBSECTION (2).6
SECTION 6. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act7
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the8
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except9
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V10
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this11
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take12
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in13
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the14
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.15
HB25-1328
-13-