The bill seeks to enhance employment standards for long-term care individual providers in Washington State by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. It establishes that all rights and remedies under state or local law for enforcing minimum wage apply to the rights established under the relevant chapter. Individual providers, as defined under RCW 74.39A.240, are to be compensated according to minimum wage, overtime, and paid sick leave requirements, with exceptions for family or household members providing care. The bill also clarifies the responsibilities of consumer-directed employers, who are the legal employers of individual providers, and emphasizes that they cannot claim any state law minimum wage or overtime exemptions.

Additionally, the bill introduces definitions for key terms and outlines criteria for determining the reasonableness of a client's plan of care. It specifies that hours worked beyond authorized hours are not compensable for family or household members if the plan of care is reasonable. The legislation retains the Department of Social and Health Services' responsibility for managing long-term in-home care services while allowing for the adoption of rules to implement these changes. It also details the criteria for contracting with consumer-directed employers for Medicaid services, emphasizing consumer choice and workforce quality. The bill clarifies that consumer-directed employers are not classified as home care agencies and outlines the transition process from individual providers to consumer-directed employers, including provisions for biennial funding reductions for various services.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 49.46.800, 74.39A.009, 74.39A.500
Substitute Bill: 49.46.800, 74.39A.009, 74.39A.500
Bill as Passed Legislature: 49.46.800, 74.39A.009, 74.39A.500
Session Law: 49.46.800, 74.39A.009, 74.39A.500