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Bill

Bill

S 5540

Extends wage parity for home care workers in upstate New York

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Skoufis

Extends wage parity for upstate New York home care workers, aiming to set wages comparable to other sectors or regions.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · S 5540

Summary of Bill S 5540 — Extends wage parity for home care workers in upstate New York

Overview

  • Bill Number: S 5540
  • Title: Extends wage parity for home care workers in upstate New York
  • Status: Referred to Health Committee
  • Introduced: February 24, 2025
  • Current Action: On February 24, 2025, the bill was referred to the Health committee (listed twice in the legislative actions).
  • Sponsor: James Skoufis (primary)

Purpose and intent

The bill, as indicated by its title, is designed to extend wage parity for home care workers located in upstate New York. While the specific statutory language is not provided in the available information, the intent suggested by the title is to ensure that upstate home care workers receive wages that are parity-based—likely aligning their wages with comparable occupations or with a broader wage standard already adopted in other sectors or regions.

Key provisions (as available)

  • The provided materials do not include the full text or detailed provisions of S 5540. Consequently, exact mechanisms, eligibility criteria, wage rates, phased timelines, or enforcement provisions are not specified here.
  • What can be stated with certainty is that the bill’s substantive aim is to extend wage parity for home care workers in upstate New York.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Home care workers employed in upstate New York.
  • Employers: Home care agencies and other entities employing upstate home care workers.
  • Clients and recipients of home care services: Potential indirect beneficiaries through improved wages, which can affect service quality, recruitment, and retention.
  • State agencies: Likely the Department of Health or related state bodies involved in administering home care programs and wage standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Current phase: Referred to the Health Committee as of February 24, 2025.
  • Next steps: If advanced, the bill would typically move through committee hearings and votes, potentially receive amendments, and proceed to floor consideration in the Senate. If passed, it would move to the Assembly as part of the normal legislative process. Any fiscal notes or budget interactions would be relevant for understanding cost implications.

Related legislation

  • S 5777 (prior-session) – related Senate measure.
  • A 6123 (companion) – Assembly companion bill (listed twice as companion).

Practical considerations

  • Without the full bill text, readers should monitor for the draft language to understand specific wage targets, eligibility, funding sources, phased implementation, and any waivers or exceptions.
  • Stakeholders may want to watch for fiscal impact statements, potential funding via state budgets, and any changes to Medicaid or provider reimbursement tied to wage changes.

If you’d like, I can tighten this summary further once the full text or fiscal notes become available.

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

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