Pennsylvania SB 1085: An Act establishing the Direct Care Worker Wage Advisory Board and providing for its powers and duties; providing for minimum wage for direct care workers and for a direct care worker registry; and imposing penalties.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1353
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1085
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SAVAL, TARTAGLIONE, COLLETT, COSTA, FONTANA,
CAPPELLETTI, HUGHES, KANE, SCHWANK AND STREET,
DECEMBER 10, 2025
REFERRED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DECEMBER 10, 2025
AN ACT
Establishing the Direct Care Worker Wage Advisory Board and
providing for its powers and duties; providing for minimum
wage for direct care workers and for a direct care worker
registry; and imposing penalties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Good Jobs for
Quality Care Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board." The Direct Care Worker Wage Advisory Board
established under section 3(a).
"Department." The Department of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
"Direct care worker." An individual employed in long-term
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care in a home setting, a community-based facility or a nursing
home providing hands-on care, services and support to elderly
individuals and individuals with disabilities. The term includes
the following:
(1) Personal care aides.
(2) Home health aides.
(3) Nursing assistants.
(4) Certified nursing assistants.
(5) Attendants.
(6) Assisted living aides.
(7) Home health aides.
(8) Home care aides.
(9) Nurse aides.
(10) Program assistants.
"Direct care worker organization." An organization that
represents direct care workers, in which direct care workers
participate and that exists for the purpose, in whole or in
part, of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor
disputes, wages, rates of pay, hours of employment or conditions
of work. The term does not include labor organizations that, by
ritualistic practice, constitutional or bylaw proscription, by
tacit agreement among its members, or otherwise, denies a person
membership in its organization on account of race, creed, color
or political affiliation.
"Employer." A person who employs a direct care worker.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Human Services of the
Commonwealth.
"Wage." Compensation for a direct care worker by reason of
the direct care worker's employment payable in legal tender of
the United States or checks on banks convertible into cash on
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demand at full face value, subject to deductions, charges or
allowances as may be permitted by regulations of the secretary
under this act.
Section 3. Direct Care Worker Wage Advisory Board.
(a) Establishment.--The Direct Care Worker Wage Advisory
Board is established within the department to examine challenges
to recruiting and retaining direct care workers, including
compensation, work schedules and other working conditions, and
to recommend regulations for the industry.
(b) Composition of board.--The board shall consist of the
following members:
(1) The secretary, or a representative of the secretary.
(2) The Secretary of Labor and Industry, or a
representative of the Secretary of Labor and Industry.
(3) The following members, who must be residents of this
Commonwealth, appointed by the secretary:
(i) One member who represents an established,
recognized direct care worker organization.
(ii) One member who is a direct care worker at a
nursing home.
(iii) One member who is a direct care worker
employed as a home care services provider.
(iv) One member who is a nursing home employer.
(v) One member who is a home care employer.
(vi) One member who represents the interests of
individuals receiving direct care worker services.
(vii) One member who represents providers of direct
care workforce development and training for direct care
workers.
(c) Recommendations.--The secretary shall solicit
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recommendations of qualified individuals for board membership
from any source, including a direct care worker organization
that maintains a membership of at least 1,000 members. If the
secretary does not receive a sufficient number of
recommendations, the secretary may appoint any remaining
positions on the board, in any combination, from the following:
(1) An employer.
(2) A labor organization that represents the interests
of direct care workers.
(3) A representative of a direct care facility or other
facility that is responsible for individuals receiving long-
term care services.
(d) Term.--A board member appointed under subsection (b)(1)
or (2) shall serve a term concurrent with the member's term of
office or concurrent with the term of office of the member's
appointing official. A board member appointed under subsection
(b)(3) shall serve a term of two years and until a successor is
appointed. A member of the boar