General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 1417 proposes the creation of a Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, which will be effective starting July 1, 2025. This board is tasked with establishing employment, training, and minimum compensation standards for nursing home workers to enhance the safety and well-being of both residents and staff. The board will include various members, such as state commissioners and representatives from nursing home employers and workers, all appointed by the Governor. Key responsibilities of the board include holding public hearings, conducting investigations, and adopting necessary standards, while nursing home employers will be required to compensate workers for training and provide essential notices regarding employment standards. The bill also introduces a certification process for worker organizations to conduct training and mandates documentation of training compliance by employers.

Additionally, the bill strengthens protections for nursing home workers by prohibiting retaliation against those who assert their rights and making it unlawful for employers to pay below the minimum wage set by the board. Workers are granted the right to file civil actions against employers for violations, with potential liabilities for lost wages, benefits, overtime, liquidated damages, and legal fees. The bill also ensures that workers facing retaliation can receive back pay and reinstatement. Furthermore, it requires the board to report annually on its actions and standards starting December 1, 2025, and mandates the Labor Commissioner and the Commissioner of Public Health to adopt regulations regarding minimum compensation and training standards. The legislation aims to modernize existing laws by inserting new provisions while deleting outdated ones to align with the updated standards.