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Bill

Bill

S 6651

Directs the development of a demonstration program to authorize individuals aged sixteen and seventeen to be consumer directed personal assistants

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lea Webb

Bill S 6651 allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work as personal assistants, boosting job opportunities for teens and enhancing support for individuals with disabilities.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 6651

Summary of Bill S 6651

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: S 6651
  • Title: Directs the development of a demonstration program to authorize individuals aged sixteen and seventeen to be consumer-directed personal assistants
  • Status: Referred to Health
  • Introduced: March 19, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 6651 aims to establish a demonstration program that allows individuals aged sixteen and seventeen to serve as consumer-directed personal assistants. The intent of the bill is to empower younger individuals to take on roles that support individuals with disabilities or those requiring assistance with daily living activities. This initiative seeks to enhance the workforce of personal assistants while providing valuable work experience for teenagers.

Key Provisions

  • Demonstration Program Development: The bill mandates the creation of a program specifically designed to evaluate the effectiveness of employing teenagers as personal assistants.
  • Eligibility Criteria: Individuals aged sixteen and seventeen will be eligible to participate in the program, allowing them to work under the supervision of a qualified adult or agency.
  • Consumer Direction: The program will emphasize consumer direction, meaning that individuals receiving assistance will have the authority to select and manage their personal assistants.
  • Training and Support: The bill may include provisions for training and support for the young personal assistants to ensure they are equipped to perform their duties effectively.

Affected Parties

  • Teenagers (Ages 16-17): This bill directly impacts teenagers by providing them with job opportunities and the chance to gain experience in the healthcare and personal assistance fields.
  • Individuals with Disabilities: Those who require personal assistance will benefit from having more options for support, potentially improving their quality of life.
  • Healthcare Providers and Agencies: Organizations that provide personal assistance services may need to adapt their practices to incorporate younger workers into their workforce.

Procedural Aspects

  • Current Status: As of March 19, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Health Committee for further consideration.
  • Related Legislation: This bill is related to S 7726 from the prior session, which may provide context or background for the current proposal.

Conclusion

Bill S 6651 represents a significant step towards integrating younger individuals into the workforce of personal assistants, promoting both employment opportunities for teens and enhanced support for individuals with disabilities. The development of this demonstration program could lead to broader changes in how personal assistance services are delivered and managed.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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