California is tightening its oversight of home health agencies for caregivers who help with activities of daily living, following the passage of a bill by Governor Jerry Brown this weekend, according to a New York Times report.
The Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act of 2013 requires agencies to conduct background checks on workers including a minimum of five hours of training. An online registry will include all caregivers, who must also obtain a license indicating they comply with standards spelled out by the law.
States differ in their requirements of home health agencies, with some requiring licensing and others that do not. California’s new rules have long been discussed, with industry members opposing the training and background checks due to additional operating costs.
The governor has asked for a delay in putting the legislation into place until January 2016.
Read the New York Times coverage.
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
