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 will be 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, such as state commissioners and representatives from nursing home employers and workers, all appointed by the Governor. 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, the bill prohibits retaliation against workers exercising their rights and mandates that nursing home workers complete training every two years.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new legal language that makes it unlawful for nursing home employers to report or threaten to report the immigration status of workers or their family members as a form of retaliation. It establishes minimum wage and compensation standards, allowing workers to file civil actions against employers for violations, with potential liabilities including lost wages, benefits, overtime, liquidated damages, and legal fees. The bill also requires the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board to report annually to legislative committees and mandates the Labor Commissioner and the Commissioner of Public Health to adopt regulations for minimum compensation and training standards. Outdated provisions will be deleted to ensure compliance with the new standards, reflecting a comprehensive approach to improving working conditions for nursing home employees.