The proposed General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 1417 seeks to establish a Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, which will be effective starting July 1, 2025. This board is tasked with setting 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 appointed by the Governor, such as state commissioners and representatives from nursing home employers and workers. Key provisions of the bill require nursing home employers to compensate workers for training hours, reimburse travel expenses for off-site training, and provide written notices regarding minimum employment standards. Additionally, it prohibits retaliation against workers for exercising their rights under the new regulations and mandates that nursing home workers complete training every two years.

The bill also introduces significant protections for nursing home workers by making it unlawful for employers to pay below the minimum standards set by the board and allowing workers to file civil actions against employers for violations. It specifies that agreements made after the establishment of these standards that do not comply cannot be used as a legal defense. Furthermore, the board is required to submit an annual report starting December 1, 2025, detailing actions taken and necessary state appropriations for implementation. The Labor Commissioner and the Commissioner of Public Health will also be responsible for adopting regulations concerning minimum compensation and training standards. Overall, the legislation aims to improve working conditions and compensation for nursing home workers while ensuring compliance with the newly established standards.