The Strengthening Our Home Care Workforce Amendment Act of 2026 aims to enhance protections for home care workers in the District of Columbia, addressing the increasing demand for such services as the population ages. This legislation amends the D.C. Minimum Wage Act to explicitly include domestic workers and home care workers in the definition of "employee," ensuring they receive minimum wage and overtime protections. The bill defines home care workers as individuals providing health services, personal care, supervision, or companionship to seniors and individuals with disabilities or chronic illnesses in home settings.

Key amendments include the addition of a new paragraph that defines "domestic worker" in accordance with existing law and a new definition for "home care worker." The bill also modifies existing language to ensure that the protections apply specifically to these workers, thereby safeguarding their rights amid potential federal rollbacks of protections that could affect approximately 10,000 home care workers in the District. The Council emphasizes the urgency of this legislation to maintain a robust home care workforce, which is essential for supporting the aging population in D.C.