118 HR 7994 IH: Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2024-04-15
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EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act
.(b)The table of contents for this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Findings and purposes.Sec. 3. Definitions.TITLE I—Improving ReimbursementSec. 101. Additional support for Medicaid long-term care services provided by direct care professionals.Sec. 102. Additional support for Medicaid long-term care services and direct care professionals.Sec. 103. Making permanent the State option to extend protection under Medicaid for recipients of home and community-based services against spousal impoverishment.Sec. 104. Permanent extension of money follows the person rebalancing demonstration.TITLE II—Training, Recruitment, Career Advancement, and Worker SupportsSubtitle A—Improving Workforce TrainingChapter 1—Grants for Supporting the Direct Care Professional WorkforceSec. 201. Definitions.Sec. 202. Authority to award grants.Sec. 203. Project plans.Sec. 204. Uses of funds; supplement, not supplant.Chapter 2—Other workforce training grantsSec. 205. Workforce investment activities grants for domestic workers.Sec. 206. Direct care professional career advancement demonstration projects.Sec. 207. Pathways to health careers.Sec. 208. Increasing workforce diversity in allied health professionals and direct support professionals.Subtitle B—Improving Workforce RecruitmentSec. 211. Technical assistance center for building the direct care professional workforce.Sec. 212. Report on efforts to enhance the direct care professional workforce.Sec. 213. Comprehensive geriatric education.Sec. 214. Review of the availability and quality of apprenticeship programs in long-term care settings.Sec. 215. Rural health workforce grant program.Subtitle C—Providing career advancement opportunities; assessment of worker well-beingSec. 221. Assessment of direct care professional well-being.Sec. 222. National Direct Care Professional Training Standards Commission.Subtitle D—Increasing supports for the existing direct care professional workforceSec. 231. Mental health services.Sec. 232. Dissemination of best practices with respect to mental health of direct care professionals.Sec. 233. Education and awareness initiative encouraging use of mental health and substance use disorder services by direct care professionals.Sec. 234. Direct care professional training grants.Sec. 235. Credit for certain health care professionals.Sec. 236. Direct Care Professional Workforce Equity Technical Assistance Center.TITLE III—Workforce labor protectionsSubtitle A—Long-term Care Workforce Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery ActSec. 301. Definitions.Sec. 302. Direct care professional workforce wage theft prevention and wage recovery grant program.Subtitle B—Direct care professional rightsSec. 311. Definitions.Sec. 312. Written agreements.Sec. 313. Fair scheduling practices.Sec. 314. Right to request and receive temporary changes to scheduled work hours due to personal events.Sec. 315. Privacy.Sec. 316. Breaks for meals and rest.Sec. 317. Prohibited acts.Sec. 318. Enforcement authority.Sec. 319. Effect on existing employment benefits and other laws.Subtitle C—Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Services Workers ActSec. 321. Workplace Violence Prevention Standard.Sec. 322. Scope and application.Sec. 323. Requirements for Workplace Violence Prevention Standard.Sec. 324. Rules of construction.Sec. 325. Definitions.Sec. 326. Application of the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds.Subtitle D—Improving access to job benefitsSec. 331. Definitions.Sec. 332. Paid sick time.Sec. 333. Notice requirement.Sec. 334. Prohibited acts.Sec. 335. Enforcement authority.Sec. 336. Education and outreach.Sec. 337. Effect on existing employment benefits.Sec. 338. Encouragement of more generous leave policies.Sec. 339. Regulations.Sec. 339A. Effective date.Sec. 339B. Collection of data and further study.TITLE IV—National Direct Care Professional Compensation StrategySec. 401. Definitions.Sec. 402. National Direct Care Professional Compensation Strategy.Sec. 403. National Direct Care Professional Compensation Advisory Council.Sec. 404. Sunset provision.TITLE V—Improving oversight and accountabilitySec. 501. Evaluation of implementation and outcomes.2.(a)Congress finds the following:(1)The nearly 5,000,000 direct care professionals in the United States play a vital role in supporting the health, well-being, and independence of older individuals and people with disabilities.(2)The United States faces a growing crisis in its direct care professional workforce at the same time that demand for services is rising at unprecedented rates.(3)There will be an estimated 9,300,000 total direct care professional job openings from 2021 to 2031, including new jobs to support the growing number of people who need care and to fill the jobs of such professionals leaving the direct care professional workforce.(4)Workforce turnover and shortages have a direct impact on older individuals, people with disabilities, and their families who suffer because they cannot get the high-quality care that they need and deserve.(5)The median hourly wage for all direct care professionals in 2022 was only $15.43, with home care workers earning the least.(6)One in 8 direct care professionals live in poverty and three quarters earn less than the average living wage in their State.(7)Forty-six percent of direct care professionals rely on public assistance, such as Medicaid, food and nutrition assistance, or cash assistance.(8)Direct care professionals report high levels of burnout and professional fatigue from their physically and emotionally demanding work, lack of respect for the essential, skilled care they provide, and lasting trauma from battling the COVID–19 pandemic, all of which further drives high turnover.(9)The long-term care industry is struggling to hire and retain direct care professionals, with a national turnover rate between 77 to nearly 100 percent.(10)Ninety-two percent of nursing home respondents and nearly 70 percent of assisted living facilities surveyed report significant or severe workforce shortages.(11)More than half of nursing homes surveyed in 2022 reported that they limited new patient admissions due to staffing shortages.(12)A survey of State home and community-based services (referred to in this section as HCBS
) programs showed that every State reports a shortage of workers, and in 43 States, some HCBS providers have closed permanently.(13)The low-quality of direct care professional jobs reflects and perpetuates the racial and gender inequities faced by direct care professionals, who are disproportionately women, immigrants, and people of color.(14)Efforts to support the direct care professional workforce have focused on specific care settings, even though these issues are widespread across the long-term care landscape and direct care professionals across settings face similar challenges of low wages, few benefits, limited training and support, worker exploitation, and a lack of meaningful career ladders.(15)Stabilizing, growing, and supporting the direct care professional workforce across the continuum of long-term care is essential to ensuring a strong, qualified pipeline of workers, and improving the lives of direct care professionals and the older individuals, people with disabilities, and the families and communities that they support.(b)The purposes of this Act are as follows:(1)To increase the capacity of the direct care professional workforce to ensure that older individuals, people with disabilities, and their families receive the services they need in the settings of their choice as they deserve to live healthy, independent lives.(2)To increase compensation so that direct care professionals are paid a living wage and have access to essential job benefits, and so that direct care professional jobs are good jobs.(3)To ensure that direct care professionals are treated with respect, provided with a safe working environment, protected from exploitation, and fairly compensated for the skilled work they do.(4)To improve access to and quality of long-term care, including collecting meaningful and actionable data on the direct care professional workforce and the people they support.(5)To eliminate the race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and gender identity disparities that exist across the direct care professional workforce.(6)To strengthen the direct care professional workforce in order to support the 53,000,000 unpaid family caregivers who are often providing complex services and supports to their loved ones who are older individuals and people with disabilities in their homes, communities, and residential settings.3.In this Act:(1)Activities of daily livingThe term activities of daily living means basic, personal, everyday activities, including tasks such as eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, and transferring.(2)Aging and disability resource centerThe term Aging and Disability Resource Center has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).(3)The term apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act
; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.), including any requirement, standard, or rule promulgated under such Act.(4)Appropriate committees of CongressThe term appropriate committees of Congress means—(A) the Committee on Finance of the Senate;(B)the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate;(C)the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate;(D)the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives;(E)the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and(F)the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives.(5)The term area agency on aging has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).(6)The term assisted living facility means an adult care facility that—(A)is a residential care setting licensed and regulated by the State in which the facility is located (or, if there is no State law providing for such licensing and regulation by the State, by the municipality or other political subdivision in which the facility is located);(B)(i)makes available to residents supportive services to assist the residents in carrying out activities of daily living; (ii)provides 24-hour on-site monitoring, personal care planning, food services, and personal care; and(iii)may make available to residents home health care services, such as nursing and therapy; and(C)provides dwelling units for residents, each of which may contain a full kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom, and which includes common rooms and other facilities appropriate for the provision of supportive services to the residents of the facility.(7)Certified nursing assistantThe term certified nursing assistant means a nurse aide who has completed a State-approved training and competency evaluation program.(8)Except as provided in section 331, the term commerce has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203).(9)Community or technical collegeThe term community or technical college means a public institution of higher education at which the highest degree that is predominantly awarded to students is an associate’s degree, including Tribal Colleges or Universities receiving grants under section 316 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c) that offer a 2-year program for completion of such degree and State public institutions of higher education that offer such a 2-year program.(10)The term developmental disability has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 15002).(11)The term direct care professional means—(A)a personal or home care aide;(B)a home and community-based services worker;(C)a direct support professional; (D)a certified nursing assistant;(E)a nurse aide or nursing assistant;(F)a respite care provider;(G)a paid family caregiver;(H)a home health aide;(I)a private duty nurse; or(J)any other individual providing relevant services (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) for compensation, in the course of the profession of such individual, at a long-term care setting to a resident of such setting. (12)Direct care professional managerThe term direct care professional manager means a person who is a manager, or supervisory staff, with coaching, training, managerial, supervisory, or other oversight responsibilities of direct care professionals.(13)Direct care professional workforceThe term direct care professional workforce means the broad workforce of direct care professionals across all long-term care settings.(14)The term disability, except as provided in paragraph (10), has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).(15)(A)The term domestic partner, with respect to an individual, means another individual with whom the individual is in a committed relationship.(B)Committed relationship definedThe term committed relationship for purposes of subparagraph (A)—(i)means a relationship between 2 individuals, each at least 18 years of age, in which both individuals share responsibility for a significant measure of each other’s common welfare; and(ii)includes any such relationship between 2 individuals, including individuals of the same sex, that is granted legal recognition by a State or political subdivision of a State as a marriage or analogous relationship, including a civil union or domestic partnership.(16)The term employ has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203).(17)Except as provided in section 331, the terms employee and employer have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of such Act.(18)Home and community-based servicesThe term home and community-based services means any of the following (whether provided on a fee-for-service, risk, or other basis):(A)Home health care services authorized under paragraph (7) of section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)).(B)Personal care services authorized under paragraph (24) of such section.(C)PACE services authorized under paragraph (26) of such section.(D)Home and community-based services authorized under subsections (b), (c), (i), (j), and (k) of section 1915 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396n), such services authorized under a waiver under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315), and such services provided through coverage authorized under section 1937 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u–7).(E)Case management services authorized under section 1905(a)(19) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(19)) and section 1915(g) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396n(g)).(F)Rehabilitative services, including those related to behavioral health, described in section 1905(a)(13) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(13)).(G)Such other services specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.(19)Home and community-based services settingThe term home and community-based services setting means a setting where home and community-based services authorized under State options described in subsection (c) or (i) of section 1915 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396n) or, as relevant, demonstration projects authorized under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315), are provided to individuals enrolled for medical assistance under a State plan under title XIX (or under a waiver of such a plan).(20)Home and community-based services workerThe term home and community-based services worker—(A)means an individual who provides home and community-based services for compensation; and(B)may include individuals described in subparagraph (A) who are physical therapists, occupational therapists, or speech or language therapists.(21)Indian Tribe; Tribal organizationThe terms Indian Tribe and Tribal organization have the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).(22)Institution of higher educationThe term institution of higher education means—(A)an institution of higher education defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); or(B)an institution of higher education defined in section 102(a)(1)(B) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)(1)(B)).(23)Instrumental activities of daily livingThe term instrumental activities of daily living means tasks that are not necessary for fundamental functioning, but allow an individual to live independently in a community of daily living. Such tasks include—(A)housekeeping and room cleaning;(B)meal preparation;(C)taking medications;(D)laundry;(E)transportation;(F)shopping for groceries, clothing, or other items;(G)managing communications, such as using the telephone;(H)managing finances;(I)writing letters; and(J)obtaining appointments.(24)The term local educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(25)The term long-term care services means any services provided by a direct care professional in a long-term care setting.(26)The term long-term care setting means—(A)a nursing home;(B)a home and community-based services setting;(C)an assisted living facility;(D)an intermediate care facility;(E)a State home, as defined in section 101(19) of title 38, United States Code;(F)a Tribal nursing home operated pursuant to an Indian health program (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603));(G)a private home;(H)a respite setting; or(I)any other setting in which an individual provides relevant services (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services), in the course of the profession of such individual, to a resident of such setting.(27)The term Medicaid program means, with respect to a State, the State program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) (including any waiver or demonstration under such title or under section 1115 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1315) relating to such title).(28)The term nurse aide has the meaning given such term in section 1919(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r(b)(5)).(29)The term nursing assistant means an individual who provides or assists with the basic care or support of a patient under the direction of onsite licensed nursing staff, which may include performing duties such as—(A)monitoring of the health status, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, or ambulation of patients or residents in a health facility or nursing home; and(B)medication administration and other health-related tasks of patients in a health facility or nursing home.(30)The term nursing home means—(A)a nursing facility as defined in section 1919(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r(a)); or(B)a skilled nursing facility as defined in section 1819(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(a)).(31)The term older individual has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).(32)Personal or home care aide(A)The term personal or home care aide means an individual who helps older individuals and people with serious illness, physical disability, cognitive impairment (including Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, a developmental disability, or another disability involving a mental impairment) to live in their own home or a residential care facility (such as a nursing home, assisted living facility, or any other facility the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines appropriate that is not described in subparagraph (B)(i)) by providing personal care services for compensation.(B)For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term personal care services means assistance or services—(i)provided to an individual who is not an inpatient or resident of a hospital or institution for mental disease; and(ii)that enable the recipient to accomplish activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living.(33)The term secondary school has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(34)Self-directed care professionalThe term self-directed care professional (also known as an independent provider
)—(A)means a direct care professional who is employed by an individual who is an older individual, a person with a disability, or a representative of such older individual or person with a disability, and such older individual or person with a disability has the decision-making authority over certain supports and services provided by the direct care professional and takes direct responsibility to manage those supports and services; and(B)includes paid family caregivers.(35)The term State, except as otherwise provided in this Act, has the meaning given such term for purposes of title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.).(36)The term State educational agency has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).(37)Urban Indian organizationThe term urban Indian organization has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).(38)Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act termsThe terms career pathway, career planning, in-demand industry sector or occupation, individual with a barrier to employment, local board, on-the-job training, recognized postsecondary credential, region, and State board have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).(39)The term work-based learning has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302). <enum>I</enum><header>Improving Reimbursement</header><section id="H02DFE367F61445BF86E6CDD4A31B72AC"><enum>101.</enum><header>Additional support for Medicaid long-term care services provided by direct care professionals</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1905 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396d">42 U.S.C. 1396d</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HD07DD5472510415290AF1B0A193142AD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b), by striking <quote>and (ii)</quote> and inserting <quote>(ii), and (kk)</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE060DFF8AF534EBF8DF7E81550DBD312"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text><quoted-block id="HCD7F9BA4E95D4725AAF6CF140A37A000" display-inline="no-display-inline" style="OLC"><subsection id="H575FC4533D014775AA2E8CE67A4EC6F3"><enum>(kk)</enum><header>Additional support for long-Term care services provided by direct care professionals</header><paragraph id="HF6C01EFC7A8C40219CDEA1518B486819"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (ff), in the case of a State that satisfies the conditions described in paragraph (2), for each fiscal quarter during the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2034, the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined for such State under such subsection (b) or (ff) shall, after the application of any other increase to the Federal medical assistance percentage for the State and quarter applicable under any other provision of law, be increased by 10 percentage points (but not to exceed 95 percent) with respect to amounts expended by the State for medical assistance for long-term care services that are provided by direct care professionals during such quarter.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H21436A33820144DA9E264AD846EFACA6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>As a condition for receipt of the increase under paragraph (1) to the Federal medical assistance percentage determined for a State, the State shall submit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as specified by the Secretary, an application that includes, in addition to such other information as the Secretary shall require—</text><subparagraph id="HA8AC311E07DD4899ACBC79ED100CFF97"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of which activities described in paragraph (4) that a State plans to implement and a description of how it plans to implement such activities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA19867618F1F477E9C3CCECBA151DA28"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assurances that all Federal funds attributable to the increase under paragraph (1) will be—</text><clause id="H84B84009C6804100ABC99B41854C022E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>expended by the State in accordance with this subsection not later than September 30, 2036; and</text></clause><clause id="H96CB646A18FA464F85B6CA71367A2DCF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>used—</text><subclause id="H484A18287414446FA86449B56AFA5D35"><enum>(I)</enum><text>to implement the activities described in paragraph (4);</text></subclause><subclause id="HEF3992E5C3664654BC7FE1AF125C1567"><enum>(II)</enum><text>to supplement, and not supplant, the level of State funds expended for long-term care services provided by direct care professionals under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan) as of the date of enactment of this subsection; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H5220A22068B9491DB4FBA37912717C0D"><enum>(III)</enum><text>to increase reimbursement rates for long-term care services provided by direct care professionals under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan) to a level that will support recruitment and retention of a sufficient workforce to provide such services under the State plan (or waiver);</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H04D7C825FF0945959443F873F6E9A2E9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>assurances that the State will use funds to work to eliminate any home and community-based services waiting lists and ensure service capacity;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3A4C2A3834C944D3BABD782484DA370A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>assurances that the State will use at least 85 percent of the Federal funds attributable to the increase under paragraph (1) to improve compensation, benefits, working conditions, and training for direct care professionals and direct care managers; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H04B4FFAC97F146BCA8CDA251547BFF2B"><enum>(E)</enum><text>assurances that the State will conduct adequate oversight and ensure the validity of such data as may be required by the Secretary.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H842AA6E40AFD49E28A0C2F80805CBE46"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Approval of application</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of submission of an application of a State under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall certify if the application is complete. Upon certification that an application of a State is complete, the application shall be deemed to be approved for purposes of this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0038E7BE4E7E4DEF862DF654D5E2DC9A"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Activities to improve the direct care professional workforce</header><subparagraph id="H6534524C529042B996630DDD4D7E946F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A State shall work with community partners such as Area Agencies on Aging, centers for independent living, as described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, nonprofit long-term care services providers, and other entities to implement some or all of the purposes described in subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5292602C7106497FAA71B4A13C0280A4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Focused areas of improvement</header><text>The purposes described in this paragraph, with respect to a State, are the following:</text><clause id="H5FDAC58B590F4B8CA95207E36EDE7874"><enum>(i)</enum><text>To increase rates for service provider agencies that employ direct care professionals (including independent providers in a self-directed or consumer-directed model) to provide long-term care services under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan), provided that any service provider agency or individual that receives payment under such an increased rate increases the compensation it pay its direct care professionals.</text></clause><clause id="H4FC70102AE284A0A8090FAE20FD97A9C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>To provide paid sick leave, paid family leave, and paid medical leave for direct care professionals.</text></clause><clause id="H5F8FE5209E1C4CAA823AA331CB6932EB"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>To provide hazard pay, overtime pay, and shift differential pay for direct care professionals.</text></clause><clause id="HCA2A71A5B60846198E3E7868AA55E153"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>To improve stability of direct care professional jobs, including consistent hours, scheduling, pay, and benefit eligibility.</text></clause><clause id="H7FBF5B720BD3490F82A8D4834C8C1A48"><enum>(v)</enum><text>To provide home and community-based services to individuals who are on waiting lists for programs approved under sections 1115 or 1915.</text></clause><clause id="H90839444A0584A729253A6A88B0F299C"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>To purchase emergency supplies and equipment, which may include items not typically covered under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan), such as personal protective equipment, necessary to enhance access to services and to protect the health and well-being of direct care professionals.</text></clause><clause id="HE306CCC112384B319BA7833E7A911109"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>To pay for the travel of direct care professionals to conduct their job responsibilities.</text></clause><clause id="HC5920A86B38C4ED797953CDEC171CEF8"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>To recruit new direct care professionals.</text></clause><clause id="H37A2F30E00A34313BC9042DA7A42FF57"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>To pay for training for direct care professionals, including apprenticeship programs.</text></clause><clause id="H687E17E25C784A329F91866FF7952C5C"><enum>(x)</enum><text>To pay for assistive technologies, staffing, and training to facilitate eligible individuals’ communication, and other costs incurred in order to facilitate community integration and ensure an individual’s person-centered service plan is fully implemented.</text></clause><clause id="H747D1E1C8E064B58B75C90A8D9E7A167"><enum>(xi)</enum><text>To prepare information and public health and educational materials in accessible formats (including formats accessible to people with low literacy or intellectual disabilities about prevention, treatment, recovery, and other aspects of communicable diseases and threats to the health of individuals who are enrolled for medical assistance under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan), their families, and the general community served by agencies described in clause (i).</text></clause><clause id="H3B8D75989ED949EBBE144228E6E7DD60"><enum>(xii)</enum><text>To protect the health and safety of direct care professionals during public health emergencies and natural disasters.</text></clause><clause id="H0F1C352AF4634F73864563D7189A6A37"><enum>(xiii)</enum><text>To pay for interpreters to assist in providing long-term care services to individuals under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan) and to inform the general public about communicable diseases and other public health threats.</text></clause><clause id="HC17AA7820FFC40C58256F5E770EA8B99"><enum>(xiv)</enum><text>To pay for other expenses deemed appropriate by the Secretary to enhance, expand, or strengthen long-term care services under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1C44525002914834ACED931F5437F67F"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Reporting requirements</header><subparagraph id="HC64D5F3E943047E2AB6328861CE257F2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>State reporting requirements</header><text>Not later than December 31, 2027, and every 2 years thereafter until December 31, 2039, any State with respect to which an application is approved by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (3) shall submit a report to the Secretary that contains the following information:</text><clause id="HC8594648A3D4409E8F4F416688274269"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Activities and programs that were funded using Federal funds attributable to the increase to the Federal medical assistance percentage of the State under paragraph (1).</text></clause><clause id="H147C8DF34758481B9970AC0B5E62A6C1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The number of individuals enrolled under the State plan (or under a waiver of such plan) who were served by such activities and programs.</text></clause><clause id="HA93F54768134486EB0B911BF2528875C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>A detailed accounting of all spending of funds attributable to the increase to the Federal medical assistance percentage of the State under paragraph (1) by the State and by any providers with whom the State entered into contracts or agreements to fulfill the requirements of this subsection.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA4F8872C5D244D139A3B063F6DDEA222"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Non-application of the paperwork reduction act</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/44/35">Chapter 35</external-xref> of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the <quote>Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995</quote>), shall not apply to the provisions of this subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9E818689D4944264ADE7EA7D3CE245F4"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Enforcement</header><subparagraph id="H175D15300057421794F7505E006433BA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>If the Secretary determines that a State with respect to which an application is approved pursuant to paragraph (3) has failed to comply with the requirements of this subsection (including the requirement that all Federal funds attributable to the increase to the Federal medical assistance percentage of the State under paragraph (1) be spent in accordance with paragraph (4)) for any quarter during the period of fiscal years described in paragraph (1), the Secretary may reduce the number of percentage points by which the Federal medical assistance percentage for the State and quarter would otherwise be increased under paragraph (1) for such quarter.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFF26F928326D489D8DAAD2F8323DF464"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Penalty based on severity of failure</header><text>The Secretary shall impose reductions under this paragraph based on the degree to which a State has failed to comply with the requirements of this subsection.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3C5613E4866447179BF6C68279C68E56"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>Not later than 2027 and annually until 2036, the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this subsection on the availability of staff to cover shifts in all long-term care settings serving, worker credentials and skills, and worker compensation through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience with evaluation related to people with disabilities and older individuals.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9BC2AEAC5ECF4920BE1755196866EA67"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this subsection:</text><subparagraph id="H7BFF80182B664013AD0BB9F35D518CC8"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Direct care professional</header><text>The term <term>direct care professional</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H655D1436AF6B49DAB1C23548D5750E39"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Home and community-based services</header><text>The term <term>home and community-based services</term> means any of the following:</text><clause id="HB21049E3753F4ED8BE22B33CF8E18878"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Home health care services authorized under paragraph (7) of subsection (a).</text></clause><clause id="H9510622BCF604423895B285141CD4257"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Personal care services authorized under paragraph (24) of such subsection.</text></clause><clause id="H020E71D425CE4739A20D7FD38ACEC4A7"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>PACE services authorized under paragraph (26) of such subsection.</text></clause><clause id="H24E6FCA4A6474373B507CFF5E7BE8056"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Home and community-based services authorized under subsections (b), (c), (i), (j), and (k) of section 1915, such services authorized under a waiver under section 1115, and such services through coverage authorized under section 1937.</text></clause><clause id="H19FDAB6D78534869B50122D9FB5AABD3"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Case management services authorized under subsection (a)(19) of this section and section 1915(g).</text></clause><clause id="H2C1F4088BCE446BB8EC86557F5700885"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Rehabilitative services, including those related to behavioral health, described in subsection (a)(13) of this section.</text></clause><clause id="H918F2A75B474475CA6A2E83F56458555" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Such other services specified by the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><section id="HD49CF45A7029449DAAF208A820617741"><enum>102.</enum><header>Additional support for Medicaid long-term care services and direct care professionals</header><subsection id="HA71EB5CAD43749E18C6F5F815EACEDCB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the <quote>Secretary</quote>) shall award grants to States for the purpose of supporting and strengthening services provided by direct care professionals across direct care settings and improving recruitment, compensation, and retention of the direct care professional workforce.</text></subsection><subsection id="H0F7D521A4B614DE990A31CA4C733D496"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, each State that seeks to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application, in such form and manner as the Secretary shall require, to the Secretary that includes—</text><paragraph id="H9BC2A6D9517349D591E0C41AAA13BD7E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>information on how the State will use grant funds to improve long-term care services and the recruitment, compensation, and retention of direct care professionals in a manner that maximizes the independence of people with disabilities and older individuals, limits unnecessary institutionalization, and supports people living in residential settings;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4DE7DACEAA764F4F94273F9DD1C5C269"><enum>(2)</enum><text>specifies the proportion of grant funds that the State plans to spend on activities to support long-term professional care workers in nursing homes, home health settings, and home and community-based services settings, respectively;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H33249FB4FC294ABE9D1436547CC78637"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a plan for sustaining the work at the conclusion of the grant period; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC01527612DA34EBE97868AB660DE8848"><enum>(4)</enum><text>such other information as the Secretary shall require.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H833AA9D468814259A8E75F5AD34BA5D3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grant Amounts</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall award each State that submits an application to the Secretary that meets the requirements of subsection (b) a 5-year grant in an amount that bears the same proportion to the amount appropriated under subsection (e) as—</text><paragraph id="HA9557622C6AC4554B95C82F7D40AA800"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the number of individuals who are enrolled for medical assistance under the Medicaid program of the State involved (as determined by the Secretary using the most recent data available as of the date of enactment of this Act); bears to</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEECEDE3B953745D1B4CB5D28563A32FD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the total number of individuals who are enrolled for medical assistance under the Medicaid programs of all States that submit to the Secretary an application that meets the requirements of subsection (b).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9726330AA0D04083904B408EA6D452AB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of grant funds</header><paragraph id="HA49A1EB2258D4ADCBA5A173A5A72F5D8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A State that receives a grant under this section shall use the funds of such grant in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8B57564CB8E9466DA40CEE4F5D01EC8F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Supplement, not supplant</header><text>A State shall use funds from a grant awarded under this section to supplement, and not supplant, the level of State funds expended for services in long-term care settings through programs in effect as of January 1, 2025.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1B904ADD32DD468295497F2029BB955B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Required implementation of certain activities</header><text>The State shall use funds from a grant awarded under this section to implement and evaluate, or supplement the implementation of, activities (which shall include the activities described in paragraph (4)) to enhance, expand, or strengthen long-term care services and to improve compensation to the workforce that provides such services.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1F179E63CA8A4538A872BE65073B5BD6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Activities to strengthen and expand the direct care professional workforce</header><subparagraph id="H0E55AB7C3AC245F6AD964ED7323472FE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The State strengthens and expands the direct care professional workforce that provides services across long-term care settings by—</text><clause id="H2D7F23BBB759464F95B441CE18692B1A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>adopting a salary review process to ensure that the rates payable for long-term care services under the State Medicaid program are sufficient to ensure access to such services under such program;</text></clause><clause id="H8A03D3FB94CF4F789D68EC91DCD09A16"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>requiring that at least 85 percent of all payments for long-term care services that are made under the State Medicaid program, including base payments and supplemental payments, are for compensation to direct care professionals and direct care professional managers; and</text></clause><clause id="HEE79D7E18C6847D4A9275FAD10C0C2CA"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>updating, developing, and adopting qualification standards and training opportunities for the continuum of direct care professionals, including programs for independent direct care professionals and agency direct care professionals, as well as unique programs.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5E66D5EE6F5F492885FCB5B5427A6450"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Payment rates</header><text>In carrying out subparagraph (A)(i), the State shall—</text><clause id="H3D041D2D85A04E22B88899B26B6E1794"><enum>(i)</enum><text>address insufficient payment rates under the State Medicaid program for delivery of long-term care services with an emphasis on supporting the recruitment and retention of direct care professionals;</text></clause><clause id="H2BCCE83324A345CC936FCF8EA9AD5CCA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>update payment rates under the State Medicaid program for long-term care services, including home and community-based services, nursing home services, skilled nursing facility services, and intermediate care facility services at least every 2 years through a transparent process involving meaningful input from stakeholders, in which the majority of stakeholders are recipients of such services, families, direct care professionals, chosen representatives of direct care workers, aging, disability, and workforce advocates, long-term care providers, and may also include health plans; and</text></clause><clause id="H357475FD49624C10B95E61ED7C4F0F30"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>ensure that, with respect to any increases in the payment rates under the State Medicaid program for long-term care services—</text><subclause id="H6A69B2CC206F4303A87F23EB25D133E3"><enum>(I)</enum><text>at a minimum, 85 percent of such payment rate increases are passed through to direct care professionals and direct care professional managers who provide such services and in a manner that is determined with input from the stakeholders described in clause (ii);</text></subclause><subclause id="H53D7C2D432904C6E86EE343249597C59"><enum>(II)</enum><text>such payment rate increases are incorporated into payment rates for such services provided under title XIX of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396">42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.</external-xref>) by a managed care entity (as defined in section 1932(a)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396u-2">42 U.S.C. 1396u–2(a)(1)(B)</external-xref>) or a prepaid inpatient health plan or prepaid ambulatory health plan, as defined in section 438.2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation)), under a contract with the State;</text></subclause><subclause id="HDDD3A0BC2227488F94168D904FC04ED8"><enum>(III)</enum><text>such payment rate increases are appropriately distributed across settings, populations, and services so as promote independence of people with disabilities and older individuals, not result in increased institutionalization, and assists in the facilitation of rebalancing the Medicaid program towards the least restrictive settings appropriate for individuals receiving services; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H436B0F6E2DDC48EBBC0EA6561E983772"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>such payment rate increases are prioritized toward home and community-based service workers in States that have a waiting list for HCBS waiver services and have been determined by CMS to have inadequate HCBS capacity.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H307DFFB1119D4A769219BFF5E3A6D5D4"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Appropriation</header><text>There is appropriated to the Secretary for awarding grants under this section an amount equal to $100,000,000,000.</text></subsection><subsection id="HBFDF32D0DEC6428DA10C3FF7D5F81AC9"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Evaluation of impact on HCBS waiting lists</header><text>The Secretary shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this title on State Medicaid program waiting lists for home and community-based services through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience with evaluation related to people with disabilities and older individuals.</text></subsection></section><section id="H5EE39BBB4AEE4BCEBE3E401F413EEA97"><enum>103.</enum><header>Making permanent the State option to extend protection under Medicaid for recipients of home and community-based services against spousal impoverishment</header><subsection id="H3296AB97715B4C58859373C0B67A7C66"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1924(h)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396r-5">42 U.S.C. 1396r–5(h)(1)(A)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>is described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI)</quote> and inserting the following: <quote>is eligible for medical assistance for home and community-based services provided under subsection (c), (d), or (i) of section 1915, under a waiver approved under section 1115, or who is eligible for such medical assistance by reason of being determined eligible under section 1902(a)(10)(C) or by reason of section 1902(f) or otherwise on the basis of a reduction of income based on costs incurred for medical or other remedial care, or who is eligible for medical assistance for home and community-based attendant services and supports under section 1915(k)</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="H649EAA5EFF5245DF97C1AF91463644FD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396r-5">42 U.S.C. 1396r–5</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>September 30, 2027</quote> and inserting <quote>the date of enactment of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act</quote>.</text></subsection></section><section id="HDD66D29FB8AC4CCEB914145DC4E59A10"><enum>104.</enum><header>Permanent extension of money follows the person rebalancing demonstration</header><subsection id="H07FFB81723F74A91B7DFB0E3079660C6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subsection (h)(1) of section 6071 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396a">42 U.S.C. 1396a</external-xref> note) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H5C5561843BFC4A6791D7534FC4F6491B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (K), by striking <quote>; and</quote> and inserting a semicolon;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H92C04E07217E4E96946411EA25C88ADD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (L), by striking <quote>through 2027.</quote> and inserting <quote>through 2025; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCC5A86EE143C4DBEB97065DD06A98C0F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3E4655C004C34BAC821F36D04D5EBE86"><subparagraph id="H81081BC30DF9484E9EC1A3D3846460B0"><enum>(M)</enum><text>$500,000,000 for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2025.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H849AC223670E4FB5B871F143D0BC4997"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Redistribution of unexpended grant awards</header><text>Subsection (e)(2) of section 6071 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396a">42 U.S.C. 1396a</external-xref> note) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: <quote>Any portion of a State grant award for a fiscal year under this section that is unexpended by the State at the end of the fourth succeeding fiscal year shall be rescinded by the Secretary and added to the appropriation for the fifth succeeding fiscal year for grants under this section.</quote>.</text></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Training, Recruitment, Career Advancement, and Worker Supports</header><subtitle id="HD8B405F05441470BB258006E3C243D83"><enum>A</enum><header>Improving Workforce Training</header><chapter id="H6DC034CBB50741D3A6A62345C8120211"><enum>1</enum><header>Grants for Supporting the Direct Care Professional Workforce</header><section id="H2F1AC338125C4B33AD300440C7EB22C4"><enum>201.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this chapter:</text><paragraph id="H09458E7AED354798AF7046021DCB7332"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> means an entity—</text><subparagraph id="H213247404B044763B6AFC32D09CAFEF4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>that is—</text><clause id="H176D0ECB74504972B8F9EFC02A450583"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a State;</text></clause><clause id="HD4D7CC1285F14C83B31A32A47CA3D2E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a labor organization, joint labor-management organization, or employer of direct care professionals;</text></clause><clause id="H181CD8669C174EB0BAB7F2A644134934"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a nonprofit entity with experience in aging, disability, or supporting the rights and interests of, the training of, or educating direct care professionals;</text></clause><clause id="H82F418AA1A6C492FBB6BBB57255526A7"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Urban Indian organization;</text></clause><clause id="H63AD0F0C3E0444E58471B4F2ECD2D0B1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>a community or technical college or other institution of higher education; or</text></clause><clause id="HF7DF58B8019B417E8ECA1954D341DB32"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>a consortium of entities listed in any of clauses (i) through (v);</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H80F265FC42D849709E7264E2B2DF562E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that agrees, as applicable with respect to the type of grant the entity is seeking under this chapter and the activities supported through such grant, to include as advisors and trainers in such activities—</text><clause id="HBF1CFDEFB6D84B2E86B5BA41EAA7B385"><enum>(i)</enum><text>older individuals;</text></clause><clause id="H94F199F5E18F48F5B6DB9971AAD1F1DE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>people with disabilities;</text></clause><clause id="H94424F2F69DD4C57925EB39989FE04C4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>direct care professionals; and</text></clause><clause id="H5303EF6CA50B48E99AB4DC7C8A546282"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>family members of such individuals, persons, or professionals; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA74FE32558BC4D279503DF62F5026C87"><enum>(C)</enum><text>that agrees to consult with the State Medicaid agency of the State (or each State) served by the grant on the grant activities, to the extent that such agency (or each such agency) is not the eligible entity.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB8EF63F32B90482CAD655EE291B983F5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Project participant</header><text>The term <term>project participant</term> means an individual participating in a project or activity assisted with a grant under this chapter, including (as applicable for the category of the grant) a direct care professional or an individual training to be such a professional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6F4E1280726340ED8CD64D59543B1A1A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6A1D922ADCD24674B80871E26A6A69E5"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Supportive services</header><text>The term <term>supportive services</term> means services that are necessary to enable an individual to participate in activities assisted with a grant under this chapter, such as transportation, child care, dependent care, housing, workplace accommodations, employee benefits such as paid sick leave and child care, workplace health and safety protections, wages and overtime pay, and needs-related payments.</text></paragraph></section><section id="HEF2334EBDB1841D6810F1A122DE1DB29"><enum>202.</enum><header>Authority to award grants</header><subsection id="HFD292D4ABD7D4742820A9252A419F941"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grants</header><paragraph id="H3D9E385FF8B5465D8A5C5F453C1F61BA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Education, shall award grants described in paragraph (2) to eligible entities. A grant awarded under this section may be in more than 1 category described in such paragraph.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H12B6B0F0B29D4EC391B25C7B79F98394"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Categories of grants</header><text>The categories of grants described in this paragraph are each of the following:</text><subparagraph id="HC8ED8D17C23442909E305A215DFE2C70"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Direct care professionals grants</header><text>Grants to eligible entities to create and carry out projects for the purposes of recruiting, retaining, or providing advancement opportunities for direct care professionals who are not described in subparagraph (B), (C), or (D), including through education or training programs for such professionals or individuals seeking to become such professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HACD121E1F4CC4C05B73574B55ECA9A1E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Direct care professional managers grants</header><text>Grants to eligible entities to create and carry out projects for the purposes of recruiting, retaining, or providing advancement opportunities for direct care professional managers, including through education or training programs for such managers or individuals seeking to become such managers.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE17C0A9E25B54874A6F3D708C476ECD1"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Self-directed care professionals grants</header><text>Grants to eligible entities to create and carry out projects for the purposes of recruiting, retaining, or providing advancement opportunities for self-directed care professionals, including through education or training programs for such professionals or individuals seeking to become such professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8B39415EDB9645A2899E52733A718623"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Home and community-based services grants</header><text>Grants to eligible entities to create and carry out projects to recruit, retain, or provide advancement opportunities for home and community-based services workers providing services and supports to older individuals, or people with disabilities, who are eligible for coverage under a State Medicaid program.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H976CA08535954A468E2A56B03E7AE2A1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Projects for advancement opportunities</header><text>Not less than 30 percent of projects assisted with grants under this chapter shall be projects to provide career pathways that offer opportunities for professional development and advancement opportunities to direct care professionals.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H3B6D26513DF3426D8ADBD87C1D73565C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Treatment of continuation activities</header><text>An eligible entity that carries out activities described in subsection (a)(2) prior to receipt of a grant under this chapter may use such grant to continue carrying out such activities, and, in using such grant to continue such activities, shall be treated as an eligible entity carrying out a project through a grant under this chapter.</text></subsection></section><section id="H176D5C96D33A47FE88C3273D5D7D23C7"><enum>203.</enum><header>Project plans</header><subsection id="H5AA8591B7A3F404584D93890D7A80E25"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An eligible entity seeking a grant under this chapter shall submit to the Secretary a project plan for each project to be developed and carried out (including for activities to be continued as described in section 202(b)) with the grant. Such project plan shall be submitted at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.</text></subsection><subsection id="H1303E5542DDC435E98512BD11A772C2A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>A project plan submitted by an eligible entity under subsection (a) shall include a description of information determined relevant by the Secretary for purposes of the category of the grant and the activities to be carried out through the grant. Such information may include (as applicable) the following:</text><paragraph id="H6E399E8A2FA94CE8AF4896822AA0001B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Demographic information regarding the population in the State, city or municipality, or region to be served by the project, including a description of the populations likely to need services provided by direct care professionals, such as people with disabilities and older individuals.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1FD914979A8343F5BFE7638002D4A591"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Projections of unmet need for services provided by direct care professionals based on enrollment waiting lists under home and community-based waivers under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1315">42 U.S.C. 1315</external-xref>) or section 1915(c) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396n">42 U.S.C. 1396n(c)</external-xref>) and other relevant data to the extent practicable and feasible, such as direct care professional workforce vacancy rates and crude separation rates and the number of direct care professionals, including such professionals who are managers or supervisors, in the State or region to be served by the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2192F24E0B454E6589F100F43CF3F621"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An advisory committee to advise the eligible entity on activities to be carried out through the grant. Such advisory committee—</text><subparagraph id="H1F3B7726E06B48CB8B011C1C13AABBF3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall include—</text><clause id="H63AA633DFAF04192A8955A0B02B4CCA3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>older individuals and people with disabilities receiving services from the direct care professionals targeted by the project;</text></clause><clause id="HD24AE6DAB50B40C5A522088D5BB4AF2C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>organizations representing the rights and interests of people receiving services by the direct care professionals targeted by the project;</text></clause><clause id="H942C2957434249578995FC68443F8FE9"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>individuals who are direct care professionals targeted by the project and organizations representing the rights and interests of such direct care professionals;</text></clause><clause id="H5F97B98BEF314774AB5370630D0CD280"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>as applicable, employers of individuals described in clause (iii) and labor organizations representing such individuals;</text></clause><clause id="H26643A51CB184BA68A3C157A011A6E47"><enum>(v)</enum><text>representatives of the State Medicaid agency, the State agency defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/3002">42 U.S.C. 3002</external-xref>), the State developmental disabilities office, and the State mental health agency, in the State (or each State) to be served by the project;</text></clause><clause id="H72D8D82521FF46DD842FEF4ED13847D6"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>parents or caregivers of children with disabilities or chronic conditions; and</text></clause><clause id="H364F5118D9E740199AE44CDEC75957D3"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>representatives reflecting diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, and gender identity and sexual orientation perspectives; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7FD4A928C02346FD8A2F914C4BD03D40"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may include any other individuals or entities listed in paragraph (12).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H5D356EF96638469C9411A8B7B31E39E5"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Current or projected job openings for, or relevant labor market information related to, the direct care professionals targeted by the project in the State or region to be served by the project, and the geographic scope of the workforce to be served by the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7A7E453618FA429A9C4E2072324B275D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Specific efforts and strategies that the project will undertake to reduce barriers to recruitment, retention, or advancement of the direct care professionals targeted by the project, including an assurance that such efforts will include—</text><subparagraph id="HE3D6316B9F5445E09B31E4742B8CB38D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an assessment of the wages or other compensation or benefits necessary to recruit and retain the direct care professionals targeted by the project;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA3193E5102204F1487B23707FE0B5C9B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a description of the project’s projected compensation or benefits for the direct care professionals targeted by the project at the State or local level, including a comparison of such projected compensation or benefits to regional and national compensation or benefits and a description of how wages and benefits received by project participants will be impacted by the participation in and completion of the project; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9A41384FFE9E4CAB9D886ABA3EF57276"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a description of the projected impact of workplace safety issues on the recruitment and retention of direct care professionals targeted by the project, including the availability of personal protective equipment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H207C67BBA69B40668CB3A13FF691BB67"><enum>(6)</enum><text>In the case of a project offering an education or training program for direct care professionals, a description of such program (including how the core competencies identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be incorporated, curricula, models, and standards used under the program, and any associated recognized postsecondary credentials for which the program provides preparation, as applicable), which shall include an assurance that such program will provide to each project participant in such program—</text><subparagraph id="HAC5232350AB943DFA74515DBF74F6603"><enum>(A)</enum><text>relevant training regarding the rights of recipients of long-term care services, including their rights to—</text><clause id="HE003670AA06948EFB0245B1E3ECEFF08"><enum>(i)</enum><text>receive services in integrated settings that provide access to the broader community;</text></clause><clause id="H9ABF1635EACB476693E3F66CB68641A4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>exercise self-determination;</text></clause><clause id="HD03E6ED21D52470B98905F5C8D5EF482"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>be free from all forms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and</text></clause><clause id="H8283A1C1F04C4EB48DD96506956FC417"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>person-centered planning and practices, including participation in planning activities;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4FABBE84B4C74D4BB6F0090268973B86"><enum>(B)</enum><text>relevant training to ensure that each project participant has the necessary skills to recognize abuse and understand their obligations with regard to reporting and responding to abuse appropriately in accordance with relevant Federal and State law;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3F523AE25BFE4BA6B80A31C080994EC1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>relevant training regarding the provision of culturally competent and disability competent supports to recipients of services provided by the direct care professionals targeted by the project;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC908BDE6054D4A5CBA3781308C658EC3"><enum>(D)</enum><text>an apprenticeship program, work-based learning, or on-the-job training opportunities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0858BE50D854459D9D15185D7718CD9F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>supervision or mentoring; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA7A1C9EFCC3C40988A68DC78B5709F9E"><enum>(F)</enum><text>for any on-the-job training portion of the program, a progressively increasing, clearly defined schedule of wages to be paid to each such participant that—</text><clause id="H104DC228FF8443DE8648029424EF5FE1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is consistent with skill gains or attainment of a recognized postsecondary credential received as a result of participation in or completion of such program;</text></clause><clause id="HE788DD81A7E24363A723CD89BDA32112"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>ensures the entry wage is not less than the greater of—</text><subclause id="H6B2387FCD816498899FB5D06CB5426B2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the minimum wage required under section 6(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/206">29 U.S.C. 206(a)</external-xref>); or</text></subclause><subclause id="HE140629C8A2545C7B7DD127094AA5820"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the applicable minimum wage required by other applicable Federal or State law, or a collective bargaining agreement; and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="HE1E56A6A146643EA81261E44E9A61C62"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>does not use a certificate under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/214">29 U.S.C. 214(c)</external-xref>).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8088920F88AD43DE80FF0332C5225B0D"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Any other innovative models or processes the eligible entity will implement to support the retention and career advancement of the direct care professionals targeted by the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD31924DB708B4EFEAA781EED39C18123"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The supportive services and benefits to be provided to the project participants in order to support the employment, retention, or career advancement of the direct care professionals targeted by the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD8C1A45D806A4203AC900CD78A5DA28F"><enum>(9)</enum><text>How the eligible entity will make use of career planning to support the identification of advancement opportunities and career pathways for the direct care professionals in the State or region to be served by the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H091D801454B24733A354531453D26931"><enum>(10)</enum><text>How the eligible entity will collect and submit to the Secretary direct care professional workforce data and outcomes of the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBFA4620F43C64D4EABBB461383F1ABC2"><enum>(11)</enum><text>How the project—</text><subparagraph id="H8D4509FA9C7D48DC95A5BADAC0929E74"><enum>(A)</enum><text>will—</text><clause id="H75A2A3566811428BA1F86C4CCCD2DB1B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>provide adequate and safe equipment and facilities for training and supervision, including a safe work environment free from discrimination, which may include the provision of personal protective equipment and other necessary equipment to prevent the spread of infectious disease among the direct care professionals targeted by the project and recipients of services provided by such professionals;</text></clause><clause id="H88693CE7A80048BFA1CE271AA07BA091"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>incorporate remote training and education opportunities or technology-supported opportunities;</text></clause><clause id="H5E949FD9019C4732A61B424258EF2798"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>for training and education curricula, incorporate evidence-supported practices for adult learners and universal design for learning and ensure recipients of services provided by the direct care professionals targeted by the project participate in the development and implementation of such training and education curricula;</text></clause><clause id="H29BE8FE575ED412BA53487178B5EA081"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>use outreach, recruitment, and retention strategies designed to reach and retain a diverse workforce;</text></clause><clause id="H4D57E229D6A34A0491E7B8659F445C04"><enum>(v)</enum><text>incorporate methods to monitor satisfaction with project activities for project participants and individuals receiving services from such participants; and</text></clause><clause id="HFCEA1C490EC547848897CF863D8A8B1E"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>incorporate core competencies identified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEEEBA597B5F14E6D9233B90819E6ED47"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may incorporate continuing education programs and specialty training, with a specific focus on—</text><clause id="H8CAADCED0DB4410EA39780EA3D380382"><enum>(i)</enum><text>trauma-informed care;</text></clause><clause id="H1000ACED9AAA46E5B5E7CE1C30BDFAAD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>behavioral health;</text></clause><clause id="H96E05575D04A44F587CB7C1BD9C58638"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>developmental disabilities or other disabilities involving mental impairment;</text></clause><clause id="H6FA99ABB1A564832A3FA3868D0E475D7"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>co-occurring behavioral health conditions and a disability described in clause (iii);</text></clause><clause id="HB3A320B3891E4EA4A2FDA143F1F81A96"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Alzheimer’s and dementia care;</text></clause><clause id="HC7435EBD823742A597D3FFD56C92EDE6"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>infection prevention and control measures;</text></clause><clause id="HC9FA8471434249B4BB82D1810F5CA192"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>chronic disease management;</text></clause><clause id="H7ECE32832A9440378603F254AB2D843A"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>age-related conditions; and</text></clause><clause id="H12F704467D3B47C69D6383BD15DB5694"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>the use of supportive or assistive technology. </text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H61FF0366490C46C2AD0EDEC929DD6727"><enum>(12)</enum><text>How the eligible entity will consult throughout the implementation of the project, or coordinate the project with, each of the following: </text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAEDD1F1C91E3458E9434DBA5B09438C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Older individuals and people with disabilities.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC09D0222A99A413B85C02A0BF8646270"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The State Medicaid agency, the State agency defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/3002">42 U.S.C. 3002</external-xref>), and the State developmental disabilities office for the State (or each State) to be served by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE971DC059E2F4B2587F59E3B5A4B4ECF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The local board and State board for each region, or State, to be served by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAF67AF7E884741C3B57999A9F1EF0280"><enum>(D)</enum><text>In the case of a project that carries out an education or training program, a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in the development or delivery of curricula or coursework.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA844845D6401499CA1ABEDB991D85E32"><enum>(E)</enum><text>A nonprofit organization, including a labor organization, that fosters the professional development and collective engagement of the direct care professionals targeted by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H346A66E32FB6401A80EB938A8F8422EA"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Organizations representing the rights and interests of people receiving services by the direct care professionals targeted by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCCBC9CF59F784D36876114C346FBCBA1"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Area agencies on aging.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H70F6B93B50284B7F959D569502139DC4"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Centers for independent living, as described in part C of chapter I of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/796f">29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H08A33AB12D1C4305963B7FB81CB26989"><enum>(I)</enum><text>The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (as such term is used in subtitle B of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15021">42 U.S.C. 15021 et seq.</external-xref>)) for the State (or each State) to be served by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDD429D3EC3EE48B88D92BDD87BDF8ACA"><enum>(J)</enum><text>Aging and Disability Resource Centers.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB8DEA4842E9C43D9A45C0A87836B01EB"><enum>(K)</enum><text>A nonprofit State provider association that represents providers who employ the direct care professionals targeted by the project, where such associations exist.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H20CE55EFFB64442B9FED105657655ED0"><enum>(L)</enum><text>An entity that employs the direct care professionals targeted by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H436ACCECA9074896848AF4614E8868EB"><enum>(M)</enum><text>University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service supported under subtitle D of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15061">42 U.S.C. 15061 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H80071A66E99646A6B72A8D54DF18B1C3"><enum>(N)</enum><text>The State protection and advocacy system described in section 143 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15043">42 U.S.C. 15043</external-xref>) of the State (or each State) to be served by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HADB4997DB8C147E08DC222ABC3D7C1DB"><enum>(O)</enum><text>Direct care professionals, and direct care professional workforce organizations, representing underserved communities, including communities of color. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBC01F6E5E8D04F41BD51964DB376AF80"><enum>(P)</enum><text>Individuals employed or working as the direct care professionals targeted by the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAB546CCAA7B74E7A9660B17CF1E365F1"><enum>(Q)</enum><text>Representatives of such professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H79360D05FD13464987EF725746BEB244"><enum>(R)</enum><text>Individuals receiving services from such professionals. </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD33C4989C743465689467CFAD0C6A2C9"><enum>(S)</enum><text>The families of such professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4358E924A89A4AF08D59F71AA6CA2AB1"><enum>(T)</enum><text>The families of individuals receiving services from such professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H175F87659D9A4233933EB198C425780B"><enum>(U)</enum><text>Individuals receiving education or training to become such professionals.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEF4EECF7442940629019CDE194C8CDCC"><enum>(13)</enum><text>Outreach efforts to individuals for participation in such project, including targeted outreach efforts to—</text><subparagraph id="H3F55527A48ED400C8723F34E0DC51F3C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>individuals who are recipients of assistance under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/601">42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.</external-xref>) or individuals who are eligible for such assistance; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2BDB57CC05404CC9B3F36C29AE154B95"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">individuals with a barrier to employment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC6E26FEE71BC46B7AD2423386112DD86" commented="no"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In selecting eligible entities to receive a grant under this chapter, the Secretary shall ensure—</text><paragraph id="HBA0492AE55574AD39A2A7959E9A3E47D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>equitable geographic and demographic diversity, including by selecting recipients serving rural areas and selecting recipients serving urban areas; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3C5310E8EC254C45947689DF54393AA3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>that selected eligible entities will serve areas where the occupation of direct care professional, or a related occupation, is an in-demand industry sector or occupation.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H7D91372BAC1249B1A8D48076F15C4ED3"><enum>204.</enum><header>Uses of funds; supplement, not supplant</header><subsection id="H4309A472610D490EBEB070ADF0EDB2F8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Uses of funds</header><paragraph id="HC3031554D3AC44E5B9194B86853F747B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this chapter shall use the funds of such grant to carry out at least 1 project described in section 202(a)(2).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA1C8BF313C784F9ABFFC681BF42454B5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Administrative costs</header><text>Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this chapter shall not use more than 5 percent of the funds of such grant for costs associated with the administration of activities under this chapter.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE19707BFD53841DBBCF564B7F919034E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Direct support</header><text>Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this chapter shall use not less than 5 percent of the funds of such grant to provide direct financial benefits or supportive services to direct care professionals to support the financial needs of such participants during the duration of the project activities.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDFD08499A7744652924938ED75A39E83"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Supplement, not supplant</header><text>An eligible entity receiving a grant under this chapter shall use such grant only to supplement, and not supplant, the amount of funds that, in the absence of such grant, would be available to address the recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of direct care professionals, in the State or region served by the eligible entity.</text></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5DC0C0E8525342E2ADA27093E11AC0F2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">No amounts made available under this chapter may be used for any activity that is subject to the reporting requirements set forth in section 203(a) of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/433">29 U.S.C. 433(a)</external-xref>).</text></subsection><subsection id="H8FA84B0963EC41BB84A228320F004FF2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under section 202, $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section></chapter><chapter id="H44508F73860344C5925B60A97B200131"><enum>2</enum><header>Other workforce training grants</header><section id="H82EEED3F55B543A1B97EBE8B14578F93"><enum>205.</enum><header>Workforce investment activities grants for domestic workers</header><subsection id="H4AA018CE68F541A7AAE2AF9DDD4105EC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H5CCB50661B4C42B3B6144E0FD78B35E5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Domestic services</header><text>The term <term>domestic services</term>—</text><subparagraph id="HC75BB8D5A53C485AB5E6C9E0DAF65B16"><enum>(A)</enum><text>means services—</text><clause id="H13F57BA962C547C2AAB605B85C4E8871"><enum>(i)</enum><text>of a household nature;</text></clause><clause id="HEF67A242F2CD41FEBBEDB270F033AAA1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provided in interstate commerce; and</text></clause><clause id="H5C13E3814D0C40828E93B6C4DAC720E5"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>performed by an individual in or about a private home (permanent or temporary); and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H23ECA6EE776A4092BF4426B2604C9E51"><enum>(B)</enum><text>includes services performed by individuals such as companions, housekeepers, nurses, home health aides, or personal or home care aides.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0F5F818BF2E941979071E3421EF3E92B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Domestic worker</header><text>The term <term>domestic worker</term>—</text><subparagraph id="H77D2FFFFF7A544C09FE669C0B62AD41F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>means, except as provided in subparagraph (B), an individual, including an employee, who is compensated directly or indirectly for the performance of domestic services; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H16CA721523554973BCED6D4D92A199B9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>does not include—</text><clause id="H85A92716F21A46468B20B8DF4846BB60"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an individual who is a family member, friend, neighbor, or parent of a child and who provides child care for the child in the child’s home; and</text></clause><clause id="H4F416809C6EC4DA5B40B7E8271ED77BA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any employee described in section 13(a)(15) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/213">29 U.S.C. 213(a)(15)</external-xref>).</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H615DA18219084E83A9511EC04DAD30DE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H176447C395C9449A9097FBCAAB355B27"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Supportive services; training services; workforce investment activities</header><text>The terms <quote>supportive services</quote>, <quote>training services</quote>, and <quote>workforce investment activities</quote> have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/3102">29 U.S.C. 3102</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCA92C9DB37ED4C4C8A3D2A0E323F8D2E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>National grant program for domestic workers</header><text>Every 3 years, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, make grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to carry out the activities described in subsection (d). The Secretary shall make the grants, or enter into the contracts, for periods of 4 years.</text></subsection><subsection id="H3D5E0FB3834D4ECB8F9DDECECBDCDCD1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><paragraph id="H18390EE3C55443DF949FD610711E33BF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible entities</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this section, an entity—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H07B83F18DF4F4D24B49C613D12987E6F"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">shall have experience working with older individuals or people with disabilities; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H18E13A3C91B4417A845D7296EB056BEB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall be—</text><clause id="HBFD5DE80B2C64B87A05CA6B235C7D4EE"><enum>(i)</enum><subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HDC333E9C236941A49B071E736784DC4E"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a nonprofit organization that is described in paragraph (3), (5), or (6) of <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/501">section 501(c)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code;</text></subclause><subclause indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H97C94D101C45418CB37033C7C64B2907"><enum>(II)</enum><text>an organization with a board of directors, at least one-half of the members of which is comprised of—</text><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0C107A77DF044CFD883C584A526F6674"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>domestic workers; or</text></item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H19DDFA0BE6D7451B8410107C89332E7E"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>representatives of an organization of such workers, including such workers who are direct care professionals, which organization is independent from all businesses, organizations, corporations, or individuals that would pursue any financial interest in conflict with that of the workers;</text></item></subclause><subclause id="H5005CF9560A74AE5B5EB7C8887A92580" indent="up1"><enum>(III)</enum><text>an organization that is independent as described in subclause (II)(bb); and</text></subclause><subclause id="H235A77785C8E4CC58CC728AE2C21691E" indent="up1"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>an organization that has expertise in domestic work and the workforce of domestic workers, including such workers who are direct care professionals;</text></subclause></clause><clause id="HB4BAB29FCFC44DBFB65FB51C3A026E4B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an eligible provider of training services listed pursuant to section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/3152">29 U.S.C. 3152(d)</external-xref>); or</text></clause><clause id="H75FA497242234B629565D0309BA79BA6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an entity that carries out an apprenticeship program.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFD249CDD2C1A44439F0FEC9F6888F426"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Program plan</header><subparagraph id="H19609619FECE40288585A3A648A81DCD"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant or enter into a contract under this section, an entity described in paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary of Labor a plan that describes a 4-year strategy for meeting the needs of domestic workers, including such workers who are direct care professionals, in the area to be served by such entity.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H721999F460ED433FA5E6B949A4463EC2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Such plan shall—</text><clause id="HC4EAD3B4E8C949EF93DCB961BC934936"><enum>(i)</enum><text>describe the domestic worker population, which shall include domestic workers who provide long-term care services, to be served and identify the needs of such population to be served for workforce investment activities and related assistance, which may include employment and supportive services; </text></clause><clause id="H4B1890202A95436BA8691A16DA75BA2D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>identify the manner in which career pathways to be provided will strengthen the ability of the domestic workers to be served to obtain or retain employment and to improve wages or working conditions, including improved employment standards and opportunities in the field of domestic work;</text></clause><clause id="H014C047B7BE24926978F1590351933B3"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>specifically address how the funding provided through the grant or contract for services under this section to domestic workers will improve wages and skills for domestic workers in a way that helps meet the need to recruit workers for and retain workers in in-demand occupations or careers; and</text></clause><clause id="HE9125DD7939447BEB68066EC5BF0EEBF"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>provide an assurance that the workforce investment activities and related assistance carried out under this section will include relevant training for domestic workers who are direct care professionals, including—</text><subclause id="HEA570CC7AA5C4562AC3FADB067C8CBFC" commented="no"><enum>(I)</enum><text>training regarding the rights of recipients of long-term care services, including the rights of such recipients to—</text><item id="H989E0B75ADF142B4BC14593407C3C504" commented="no"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>receive services in integrated settings that provide access to the broader community;</text></item><item id="H846D29EC7E184E1A8E9812717EF21A59" commented="no"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>exercise self-determination;</text></item><item id="HBDCCD44CC14C4EAB9B2A35A38C8DB01C" commented="no"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>be free from all forms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and</text></item><item id="H14AEE86329574186BBC31F5C3504F520" commented="no"><enum>(dd)</enum><text>receive person-centered planning and practices, including through the participation of such recipients in planning activities;</text></item></subclause><subclause id="H76FB5AA21DA24C39A3F7586FAA96D0DD" commented="no"><enum>(II)</enum><text>training to ensure that each participant of such training has the necessary skills to recognize abuse and understand their obligations with regard to reporting and responding to abuse appropriately in accordance with relevant Federal and State law; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H5C77A0D0A4F74028A1429D5DD01F3B59" commented="no"><enum>(III)</enum><text>training regarding the provision of culturally competent and disability-competent supports to recipients of long-term care services.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7F6556B23D444693B50D2026D376C5D4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Awards and administration</header><text>The grants and contracts under this subsection shall be awarded by the Secretary using full and open competitive procedures and shall be administered by the Secretary.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6D26D42CA5D94123A2C5A28DF8951949"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorized activities</header><text>Funds made available under this section shall be used to carry out workforce investment activities and provide related assistance for domestic workers, including such workers who are direct care professionals, which may include—</text><paragraph id="HE81A8AA5D45D4C139B153F60B3F83584"><enum>(1)</enum><text>outreach, employment, training services, educational assistance, digital literacy assistance, English language and literacy instruction, worker safety training, supportive services, school dropout prevention and recovery activities, individual career services, and career pathways;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H775FDD52E5024D5BA395BED94927537C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>follow-up services for those individuals placed in employment;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2BEF99C873A9423FB988C849EB6D8C99"><enum>(3)</enum><text>development or education as needed by domestic workers, including domestic workers who are direct care professionals; </text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAF7252BF69964F73B963AC753CF174F7"><enum>(4)</enum><text>customized career and technical education in occupations that will lead to higher wages, enhanced benefits, and long-term employment in domestic work or another area; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H63503CFCE036474EB7946FB77C2F2E40"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the creation or maintenance of employment and training-related placement services, including digital placement services.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC3786676C74445BBB19BAFB32844E4F5"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Funding allocation</header><text>From the funds appropriated and made available to carry out this section, the Secretary shall reserve not more than 1 percent for discretionary purposes related to carrying out this section, such as providing technical assistance to eligible entities.</text></subsection><subsection id="HDC8081A0D0314E2E84DAC3661311D125"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Eligible provider performance reports</header><text>Each eligible entity shall prepare performance reports to report on outcomes achieved by the programs of workforce investment activities and related assistance carried out under this section. The performance report for an eligible entity shall include, with respect to each such program (referred to in this subsection as a <quote>program of study</quote>) of such entity—</text><paragraph id="H07C12E51AE5543D69677001EAFE6C0CB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>information specifying the levels of performance achieved with respect to the primary indicators of performance described in subclauses (I) through (V) of section 116(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/3141">29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)(i)</external-xref>) with respect to all individuals engaging in the program of study;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H460420BFDA3E46B18609A292905927A5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the total number of individuals exiting from the program of study;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6319A4A4CB224866A46283224B1916E5"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the total number of participants who received training services through the program;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H544C522B33804019AA17A14BEB6A739C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the total number of participants who exited from training services, disaggregated by the type of entity that provided the training services, during the most recent program year and the 3 preceding program years;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE21C2E8A54CF4072B90FBB0E33BB9B8D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the average cost per participant for the participants who received training services, disaggregated by the type of entity that provided the training services, during the most recent program year and the 3 preceding program years; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6D5C144D41D2489A9C02E9D8C51944F7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>information on indicators specified by the Secretary concerning the impact of the training services on the wages, skills, recruitment, and retention of participants.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD01D3CF95C3E4549AC0C30C1A55F6E58"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section><section id="HB1F7BBE4744149FE88BDBB30D666708D"><enum>206.</enum><header>Direct care professional career advancement demonstration projects</header><subsection id="H4B506234F7BA4A108C4569C0C14B5FEC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 2008 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1397g">42 U.S.C. 1397g</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HCDFE22D107E34F55B0535A3F74A6949E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H7BD4A876C90B4BDBAAD2776852D68F34"><subsection id="HA2805866F0F341F88424EC1F444E1BF4"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Direct care professional career advancement demonstration projects</header><paragraph id="H5DFF1CC49FDB458F9AE8F3A1E6E2AA70"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall award, from the amount appropriated under paragraph (4), grants to eligible entities to conduct demonstration projects that are designed to provide eligible individuals with opportunities for education, training, and career advancement as a direct care professional, including as a personal or home care aide, home health aide, or nursing aide or assistant.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBE3BE023A2CB40698F82FA506A460A43"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this subsection:</text><subparagraph id="H6CA746C7BBC7411EA51ED5BE4905C2EC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> has the meaning given such term in subsection (a).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD970A920C589402B8D89FEED9449C3B8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Eligible individual</header><text>The term <term>eligible individual</term> means an individual—</text><clause id="H2F36E5C3A51A4C87A58A9CEAA53B8EB5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the poverty line (as defined in section 2110(c)(5)) applicable to a family of the size involved; and</text></clause><clause id="HD218E915399A4BB29D699696D1B56A1E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>who is employed as a direct care professional who—</text><subclause id="H4B6BD0FB9BBC46F4A0718D5D362BC695"><enum>(I)</enum><text>has at least 30 percent patient volume (as estimated in accordance with a methodology established by the Secretary) attributable to individuals who are receiving medical assistance under title XIX; or</text></subclause><subclause id="HF72C7643B01B4EBC99B0266EE8BF1891"><enum>(II)</enum><text>is employed by an agency that is a provider of personal or home care services that has at least 30 percent of the agency’s patient volume (as so estimated) attributable to such individuals.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB9A884BF3A0344AF919DC71ABEFDF9FC"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Direct care professional</header><text>The term <term>direct care professional</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HCD67D1FA58D348DB88CC3B6A50F1330D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Requirements</header><subparagraph id="HFCD0248E0334421B9551E292A53F3CC6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Prioritization of projects that support rural areas, underserved areas, and women, individuals from communities of color, and individuals with disabilities</header><text>The Secretary shall ensure that not less than half of the demonstration projects supported by grants awarded under this subsection support—</text><clause id="H40B0CCDC0F98497083584E3053F4D645"><enum>(i)</enum><text>eligible individuals in rural areas (as defined in section 2007(f)(5));</text></clause><clause id="H3C8FBEDA37DC47A998214BDB82C980FB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>eligible individuals in underserved urban areas (including urban health professional shortage areas (as defined in section 332 of the Public Health Service Act);</text></clause><clause id="HE183421557AC4D44982DD25D27CFC6BF"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>eligible individuals who are women, who are from communities of color, or who belong to other underserved and diverse populations such as Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, or Alaska Native communities; and</text></clause><clause id="HF5E6BD1E7E58418FA30DE23CC38289B8"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>eligible individuals with disabilities.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDCDB5DAF42404CDE89DE6301DAB39705"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Amount of grant</header><text>In no case shall the Secretary award an eligible entity a grant to conduct a demonstration project under this subsection in an amount that exceeds $750,000 for each year that the entity conducts such project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5DA1ED338A71443BAC726CAEA6E16C90"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Reports</header><clause id="HB9E5173F00584D239B9D043CE5A64120"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Interim reports</header><text>An eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a demonstration project under this subsection shall submit interim reports to the Secretary on the activities carried out under the project and a final report on such activities upon the conclusion of the entities’ participation in the project.</text></clause><clause id="H76658ACA09654734A744911F8E493A11"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall evaluate the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection. Such evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals and direct care professionals, a health or human services professions workforce that has accessible opportunities for career advancement, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the workforce’s needs, and that is responsive to the needs of diverse racial and ethnic communities.</text></clause><clause id="H84964978D40B4CEBB60C1D9FC47AD154"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection conclude, the Secretary shall submit a final report to Congress on such demonstration projects that includes—</text><subclause id="H0EA46A85A32A413798DD6FF9076E64A4"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the result of the evaluation conducted under clause (ii);</text></subclause><subclause id="H71E7C5A6A14544E1A373B56E7D37620E"><enum>(II)</enum><text>recommendations for best practices; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H6373B64CE2DC4A2B94B3C56CAD06B41F"><enum>(III)</enum><text>such recommendations for legislation or administrative actions as the Secretary deems appropriate.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="HCD51426C86944B2699755C7EA8DFA580"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Additional report</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the demonstration projects conducted under this subsection conclude, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and make publicly available, a report on the activities and results of such projects. Such report shall describe—</text><subclause id="H7A01BB2D3DBA4787B7068C2741091F91"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the number and geographic distribution of the grants awarded under this subsection;</text></subclause><subclause id="HCE72138406CC4DE48EC3017DC81785AF"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the participation of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged participants in demonstration projects conducted under this subsection; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HADF1D7CD47864BB4B576BDA297FDC18F"><enum>(III)</enum><text>recommendations for program revisions to achieve the desired program outcome.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFD8B9051D80C45168F63BFFACE9B799B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Appropriation</header><text>Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there are appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4B2CABAD4D9C45CF8D0A96FEAF8F0AFC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Incentive payments for long-Term care services furnished by direct care professionals who complete certain training</header><text>Section 1834 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1395m">42 U.S.C. 1395m</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H26DC03B958F0418B91611FDE88B7023F"><subsection id="HE06872D921014009B154024DEC4B3352"><enum>(aa)</enum><header>Incentive payments for direct care services furnished by direct care professionals who complete certain training</header><text>In the case of long-term care services furnished on or after October 1, 2025, by a direct care professional who has successfully completed education or training under a demonstration project under section 2008(e), in addition to the amount of payment that would otherwise be made for such services under this part, there also shall be paid an amount equal to 25 percent of the payment amount for the service under this part to be paid to the direct care professional.</text></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection></section><section id="HB4063B1E5B8945258E3E82643C2B6E07"><enum>207.</enum><header>Pathways to health careers</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Effective October 1, 2024, title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397–1397n–13) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H2162D7A576D74357AA7E1DC7E9839A1B"><subtitle id="H073F592915F54B19A410762344136EA5"><enum>D</enum><header>Career Pathways through Health Profession Opportunity Grants</header><section id="HE1FB93C91207478092838F699FDB85F7"><enum>2071.</enum><header>Career Pathways through Health Profession Opportunity Grants</header><subsection id="H11183E31F68C40778291A4B9A7D16F7F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Application requirements</header><text>An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section for a project shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant, that includes the following:</text><paragraph id="H98D9FFD867414F43947FE468FC60F242"><enum>(1)</enum><text>A description of how the applicant will use a career pathways approach to train eligible individuals for health professions, including direct care professionals, that will put eligible individuals on a career path to an occupation that pays well, under the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H47C39AA7C71145ABAA066421A4035396"><enum>(2)</enum><text>A description of the adult basic education and literacy activities, work readiness activities, training activities, and case management, career coaching, and mentoring support services that the applicant will use to assist eligible individuals to gain work experience, connection to employers, and job placement, and a description of the plan for recruiting, hiring, and training staff to provide the case management, mentoring, and career coaching services, under the project directly or through local governmental, apprenticeship, educational, or charitable institutions.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4E96B28C04C048C0B8034594F6CCF7ED"><enum>(3)</enum><text>A demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations, or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner organization that has the experience.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6F2089CEF9F24529880C52DEF45BA92D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>A plan for providing post-employment support and ongoing training as part of a career pathway under the project.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H193906D2888E4C9EBDEA4622D98E3804"><enum>(5)</enum><text>A description of the support services that the applicant will provide under the project, including a plan for how child care and transportation support services will be guaranteed and, if the applicant will provide a cash stipend or wage supplement, how the stipend or supplement would be calculated and distributed.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3B0870711A2045E4A33FBAC567437105"><enum>(6)</enum><text>A certification by the applicant that the project development included—</text><subparagraph id="H7B691A85E1B241FA8AAD4F891B619266"><enum>(A)</enum><text>consultation or commitment to consult with a local workforce development board;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7E40A35FC577405C817E29E5EE18E2DB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>consideration of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship models;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7C411B4074514D19B357682565D3E3E7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>consideration of career pathway programs in the State in which the project is to be conducted; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0F0F1C27BB8648E0965D0B281002BE32"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a review of the State plan under section 102 or 103 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H5AD188F4C668416BA887C55BA8370338"><enum>(7)</enum><text>A description of the availability and relevance of recent labor market information and other pertinent evidence of in-demand jobs or worker shortages.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8F56C29C028648EDB6DA037A2D7C067C"><enum>(8)</enum><text>A certification that the applicant will directly provide or contract for the training services described in the application.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFAAD394C557E4AD8AA9196C57C1B6B38"><enum>(9)</enum><text>A commitment by the applicant that, if the grant is made to the applicant, the applicant will—</text><subparagraph id="HBBFF290C65B04EF28DA051D1E17F782C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>during the planning period for the project, provide the Secretary with any information needed by the Secretary to establish adequate data reporting and administrative structure for the project;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCA9F5420907D426F873831BE52D4ECCA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>hire a person to direct the project not later than the end of the planning period applicable to the project;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8E53DA29CE9C41DF8B1E05F9E75A4086"><enum>(C)</enum><text>accept all technical assistance offered by the Secretary with respect to the grant;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC7DA8CCD1E1F4115B503C0B0F182FD5F"><enum>(D)</enum><text>participate in peer technical assistance conferences as are regularly scheduled by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4AD173E3474F4BA098F57A4425F51AC1"><enum>(E)</enum><text>provide all data required by the Secretary under subsection (g).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4F4DC564B18B4D88A193A1FD71C4E153"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Additional application element</header><text>In considering applications for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall require qualified applicants to have at least 1 of the following application elements:</text><paragraph id="H7B51AA4EEF0B4D1E800E2D3A9E2B738C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Applications submitted by applicants to whom a grant was made under this section or any predecessor to this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDD3744D55F5749A88B4DDE95CD7C8595"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Applications submitted by applicants who have business and community partners in each of the following categories:</text><subparagraph id="H0446DA2FB767424DB93EA442303FD09A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>State and local government agencies and social service providers, including a State or local entity that administers a State program funded under part A of this title.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H67AE6E83EB174F02A651193ACD11AFF3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Institutions of higher education, apprenticeship programs, and local workforce development boards.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4A4252CDD1894A55916CADF7ACB54426"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Health care employers, home and community-based services agencies, health care industry or sector partnerships, labor unions, and labor-management partnerships.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE665A3F6C74A4A17977364AE60C773AD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Applications that include opportunities for mentoring or peer support, and make career coaching available, as part of the case management plan.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H747A27011C0143AC94653B4DFD107B08"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Applications which describe a project that will serve a rural area in which—</text><subparagraph id="H510A8CDAB38549BB9FA156C4A0BBD736"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the community in which the individuals to be enrolled in the project reside is located;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA9F2A4AC0B2D42C6966E0A049B84CD7A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the project will be conducted; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD93CC1D3ACF54EF0A94F9E93EDF0889F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an employer partnership that has committed to hiring individuals who successfully complete all activities under the project is located.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA8FBC9AEF1E747CEA98A4B6D92C94079"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Applications that include a commitment to providing project participants with a cash stipend or wage supplement.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAD998497C74448F1BD432B7C8016DEDC"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Applications submitted by applicants who are serving or situated in communities of color and other underserved communities.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7882016109674DA495502FFD23A0713F"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Applications which have an emergency cash fund to assist project participants financially in emergency situations.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD33A548E57734382A98D41EEBE9DF7B0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grants</header><paragraph id="H452D4849301C48F98DABC2ED549DCDA5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Competitive grants</header><subparagraph id="H43E0A0A35A084F248417568399C9C532"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Grant authority</header><clause id="H8169BCB8BEEE4CE3B07DBA2120FBD393"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall make a grant in accordance with this paragraph to an eligible entity whose application for the grant is approved by the Secretary, to conduct a project designed to train low-income individuals for allied health professions, health information technology, physician assistants, nursing assistants, licensed practical/vocational nurse, registered nurse, advanced practice nurse, direct care professionals, and other professions considered part of a health care career pathway model.</text></clause><clause id="H7870B3EB6FF6445B9EC5BBFD4F0B2D6E"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Guarantee of grantees in each State and the District of Columbia</header><text>For each grant cycle, the Secretary shall award a grant under this paragraph to at least 2 eligible entities in each State that is not a territory, to the extent there are a sufficient number of applications that have a high likelihood of success and that are submitted by the entities that meet the requirements applicable with respect to such a grant. If, for a grant cycle, there are fewer than 2 such eligible entities in a State that have submitted applications with a high likelihood of success, the Secretary shall identify qualified eligible applicants located elsewhere, that are otherwise approved but un-funded, and issue a Substitution of Grant and tailored technical assistance. In the preceding sentence, the term <term>issue a Substitution of Grant</term> means, in a case in which an approved grantee does not complete its full project period, or in which there are fewer than 2 qualified grantees per State with a high likelihood of success, substitute an applicant located in another State that was approved but un-funded during the competition for the award for the award recipient.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1AF7D1F889D7470AAC49281ACFCE055D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Guarantee of grants for indian populations</header><text>The Secretary shall award a grant under this paragraph to at least 10 eligible entities that are an Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal college or university, to the extent there are a sufficient number of applications submitted by the entities that meet the requirements applicable with respect to such a grant.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H86DE3A3D25AD407EB5F99DE675DF4C39"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Guarantee of grantees in the territories</header><text>The Secretary shall award a grant under this paragraph to at least 2 eligible entities that are located in a territory, to the extent there are a sufficient number of applications submitted by the entities that meet the requirements applicable with respect to such a grant.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7B7C9A26DB0E4C2B8466A48FA51B9A1F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Grant cycle</header><text>The grant cycle under this section shall be not less than 5 years, with a planning period of not more than the first 12 months of the grant cycle. During the planning period, the amount of the grant shall be in such lesser amount as the Secretary determines appropriate.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HEB02FF5C21FF4FDD9991662E11FC4279"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Use of grant</header><paragraph id="H9858290833FC401683FBE51D26BC6188"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An entity to which a grant is made under this section shall use the grant in accordance with the approved application for the grant.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H50820B9A7F8549CA898D908902DC6F66"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Support to be provided</header><subparagraph id="HE71CDF8242D440AEA94D7733B371D06C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Required support</header><text>A project for which a grant is made under this section shall include the following:</text><clause id="H8F691814B3504DF48AE29E7602467B05"><enum>(i)</enum><text>An assessment for adult basic skill competency, and provision of adult basic skills education if necessary for eligible individuals to enroll in the project and go on to enter and complete post-secondary training, through means including the following:</text><subclause id="HCAA9367A29BA4904AB0F24115F3AF04C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Establishing a network of partners that offer pre-training activities for project participants who need to improve basic academic skills or English language proficiency before entering a health occupational training career pathway program.</text></subclause><subclause id="HC2EC794B95614AA08AAE448F59C11087"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Offering resources to enable project participants to continue advancing adult basic skill proficiency while enrolled in a career pathway program.</text></subclause><subclause id="HC3A7DFD815854903AAB837F10D4D0500"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Embedding adult basic skill maintenance as part of ongoing post-graduation career coaching and mentoring.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H78F3A3743F014B5981842CA800DC76D8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A guarantee that child care and transportation are available and affordable support services for project participants through means such as the following:</text><subclause id="H611202257CE145BC83B72DA3FDE6EECC"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Referral to, and assistance with, enrollment in a subsidized child care program.</text></subclause><subclause id="HFCC5C598242E443EB23530D07337E0FB"><enum>(II)</enum><text>Direct payment to a child care provider if a slot in a subsidized child care program is not available or reasonably accessible.</text></subclause><subclause id="H2023FBDE7EF14839B2349D699FE94316"><enum>(III)</enum><text>Payment of co-payments or associated fees for child care and transportation.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="HA1194ABFF3E04D5F9EC77D5E69EAB74A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Case management plans that include career coaching (with the option to offer appropriate peer support and mentoring opportunities to help develop soft skills and social capital), which may be offered on an ongoing basis before, during, and after initial training as part of a career pathway model.</text></clause><clause id="H12E8E81AC4B04565BD02786473AEC55E"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>A plan to provide project participants with transportation through means such as the following:</text><subclause id="HB667E0F856214972B0140841588C2997"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Referral to, and assistance with enrollment in, a subsidized transportation program.</text></subclause><subclause id="HEA2E362386C5446DA0BBA1085B88283B"><enum>(II)</enum><text>If a subsidized transportation program is not reasonably available, direct payments to subsidize transportation costs.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H459DE4A3D444402D8A76FB24EEFB6D3A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Transportation</header><text>For purposes of this paragraph, the term <term>transportation</term> includes public transit, or gasoline for a personal vehicle if public transit is not reasonably accessible or available.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3AF424709F1D49CDB4040C3E118093E3"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Allowed support</header><text>The goods and services provided under a project for which a grant is made under this section may include the following:</text><clause id="HCBCA590BB8AF4C3EB67A398A7F269699"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A cash stipend.</text></clause><clause id="H8508CD80014247B8821CE4D2080138B6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A reserve fund for financial assistance to project participants in emergency situations.</text></clause><clause id="H49E257EB83074384BDC773CAA05F6EFB"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Tuition, certification exam fees, and training materials such as books, software, uniforms, shoes, connection to the internet, hair nets, and personal protective equipment.</text></clause><clause id="HA6A1678E466E46C1B7BFB136714D1FDF"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>In-kind resource donations such as interview clothing and conference attendance fees.</text></clause><clause id="H7A36859A5996496AAAAF2B58249EB410"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Assistance with accessing and completing high school equivalency or adult basic education courses as necessary to achieve success in the project and make progress toward career goals.</text></clause><clause id="H048E953145E04917BDF220BD3FEB1343"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Other support services as deemed necessary for family well-being, success in the project, and progress toward career goals.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H81153A6C639A4982900E39FDBED71F92"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Training</header><text>The number of hours of training provided to an eligible individual under a project for which a grant is made under this section, for a recognized postsecondary credential (including an industry-recognized credential, and a certificate awarded by a local workforce development board), which is awarded in recognition of attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation, shall be—</text><subparagraph id="H8464D9E0C9E4478DADBD35136E890A7E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not less than the number of hours of training required for certification in that level of skill by the State in which the project is conducted; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD44FEF8FC4A04B288AE3286F193EFDF9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if there is no such requirement, such number of hours of training as the Secretary finds is necessary to achieve that skill level.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6CBEF41A6B3243E3B5C8266CEC3A0568"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Inclusion of TANF recipients</header><text>In the case of a project for which a grant is made under this section that is conducted in a State that has a program funded under part A of title IV, at least 10 percent of the eligible individuals to whom support is provided under the project shall meet the income eligibility requirements under that State program, without regard to whether the individuals receive benefits or services directly under that State program.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD2141A0AA37640B6A9C4AEFA393FD550"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Income limitation</header><text>An entity to which a grant is made under this section shall not use the grant to provide support to a person who is not an eligible individual.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H45E7FB87D7824D2E95009FA7E9FD49C1"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>An entity to which a grant is made under this section shall not use the grant for purposes of entertainment, except that case management and career coaching services may include celebrations of specific career-based milestones such as completing a semester, graduation, or job placement.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4882C0519AA1470FB76C122EB5D03EAA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Technical assistance</header><paragraph id="HB35E740E4A6B4DFD99983F7E18363E1C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall provide technical assistance—</text><subparagraph id="H6888CB9CECF94D4CA87726BD3ECC4F36"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to assist eligible entities in applying for grants under this section;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBF78D5BFE7654123A28F77B542F61AF7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that is tailored to meet the needs of grantees at each stage of the administration of projects for which grants are made under this section;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H02E688E0AAE449468D063C7FBE7E61A6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>that is tailored to meet the specific needs of Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal colleges and universities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA0C5FCC580554BD88125AF116D833C82"><enum>(D)</enum><text>that is tailored to meet the specific needs of the territories;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA9D2FD8CA1774F2790C581E671CE4CA4"><enum>(E)</enum><text>that is tailored to meet the specific needs of applicants, eligible entities, and grantees, in carrying out dedicated career pathway projects pursuant to subsection (h); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF45F41491C154295AF2556F910FBC48D"><enum>(F)</enum><text>to facilitate the exchange of information among eligible entities regarding best practices and promising practices used in the projects.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEC33F68E0F034CE9A8BB17B2E7DA4D85"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Continuation of peer technical assistance conferences</header><text>The Secretary shall continue to hold peer technical assistance conferences for entities to which a grant is made under this section or was made under the immediate predecessor of this section. The preceding sentence shall not be interpreted to require any such conference to be held in person.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H70733D5B4F564F9C9FB83088B5E300BB"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Evaluation of dedicated career pathways</header><paragraph id="H860701D10DF445CF88FA66EBBBF40B04"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, conduct rigorous and well-designed evaluations of the dedicated career pathway projects carried out pursuant to subsection (h).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8E57FAAF135E456F8A192F3374700DFE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirement applicable to second chance career pathway</header><text>In the case of a project of the type described in subsection (i), the evaluation shall include identification of successful activities for creating opportunities for developing and sustaining, particularly with respect to low-income individuals with arrest or conviction records, a health professions workforce that has accessible entry points, that meets high standards for education, training, certification, and professional development, and that provides increased wages and affordable benefits, including health care coverage, that are responsive to the needs of the workforce.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE2AEFF23F9394A7DB11209D7384A1FF7"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Reports</header><text>As a condition of funding, an eligible entity awarded a grant to conduct a project under this section shall submit interim reports to the Secretary on the activities carried out under the project, and, on the conclusion of the project, a final report on the activities.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA61D479941F34F96A737685DE7ACFED8"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Second chance career pathway</header><paragraph id="HD698251246324C669F6284643B2739F1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Grant authority</header><text>The Secretary shall award grants in accordance with this subsection to eligible entities to conduct career pathway projects for the purpose of providing education and training for eligible individuals with arrest or conviction records to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions through occupations that are expected to experience a labor shortage or be in high demand.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDAD03A61FEDB498BACF27BAAF8718981"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>A grant awarded under this subsection shall have the same grant cycle as is provided in subsection (c)(2), and as a condition of funding the grantee shall comply with all data reporting requirements associated with the grant cycle.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2FDF867594164114BDF2EB25F54E2F34"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Application requirements</header><text>An entity seeking a grant under this subsection for a project shall submit to the Secretary an application for the grant, that includes the following:</text><subparagraph id="H9F2E0E344BD842E088AAD175EA6606F3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A demonstration that the State in which the project is to be conducted has in effect policies or laws that permit certain allied health and behavioral health care credentials to be awarded to people with certain arrest or conviction records (which policies or laws shall include appeals processes and other opportunities to demonstrate rehabilitation to obtain licensure and approval to work in the proposed health careers), and a plan described in the application which will use a legally permitted career pathway to train people with such a record to be trained and employed in such a career.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3B4A9149C45D4F3B881C4DA88851BCCF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A discussion of how the project or future strategic hiring decisions will demonstrate the experience and expertise of the project in working with job seekers who have arrest or conviction records or employers with experience working with people with arrest or conviction records.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H828B66DFA8784F7C9A40A5F401CC10F7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A demonstration that the applicant has experience working with low-income populations, or a description of the plan of the applicant to work with a partner that has the experience.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H488CCC84EBB04114B605DC409CFF0913"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An identification of promising innovations or best practices that can be used to provide the training.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB11DAACA0C594CD1BF4602D445E5855A"><enum>(E)</enum><text>A proof of concept or demonstration that the applicant has done sufficient research on workforce shortage or in-demand jobs for which people with certain types of criminal records can be hired.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H21FC948EB4094DA593D4545F2D32D426"><enum>(F)</enum><text>A plan for recruiting students who are eligible individuals into the project.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H14EB5120F8C1456FBB23E76C7FF3FF9D"><enum>(G)</enum><text>A plan for providing post-employment support and ongoing training as part of a career pathway under the project.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HDA5E3079D972492E8C809496B61B58D1"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Support to be provided</header><text>A recipient of a grant under this subsection for a project shall provide—</text><subparagraph id="H1FE3FF2191554893896BB99EE6244ACF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>access to legal assistance for project participants for the purpose of addressing arrest or conviction records and associated workforce barriers;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H45CB4BB01A3A46189466EF52B877DC68"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assistance with programs and activities deemed necessary to address arrest or conviction records as an employment barrier; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA925FED83EFC49B3943CD3AB25D9C6A6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>required supportive services described in subsection (d)(2)(A) to participants who need the services, and may expend funds on eligible supportive services described in subsection (d)(2)(B).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB0DB40DE49D44F10AC3A868A90A2008A"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H6FC05B5AF96147D9AAFBC66ACE1F0CDF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Allied health profession</header><text>The term <term>allied health profession</term> has the meaning given in section 799B(5) of the Public Health Service Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3BFE301E57154D05848CA7EAE642159D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Career pathway</header><text>The term <term>career pathway</term> has the meaning given that term in section 3(7) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HABCC02966FA0429A9D804C43D2E62704"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Direct care professional</header><text>The term <term>direct care professional</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2CB2C5F4ED73466091D544540949259B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> means any of the following entities that demonstrates in an application submitted under this section that the entity has the capacity to fully develop and administer the project described in the application:</text><subparagraph id="HBBD6E0A3CC934EE6B66476DEC2C9968F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A local workforce development board established under section 107 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC286C49337DB41E8B347A4F27D45C1ED"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A State or territory, a political subdivision of a State or territory, or an agency of a State, territory, or such a political subdivision, including a State or local entity that administers a State program funded under part A of this title.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H920D619FDE244E0AAF47004E409CE0C5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An Indian tribe, a tribal organization, or a tribal college or university.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6025CB169A5B4FB3B5B85B737A3898C0"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An institution of higher education (as defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC9EA3C1F7EE34E5B9D0276E01B5FB257"><enum>(E)</enum><text>A hospital (as defined in section 1861(e)).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0CD27416ABA74F6E8082B27045C3095C"><enum>(F)</enum><text>A high-quality skilled nursing facility.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA0B639DEA56647B2AE431C91C224299C"><enum>(G)</enum><text>A Federally qualified health center (as defined in section 1861(aa)(4)).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2424121474AE4F1FB91879132E7D8393"><enum>(H)</enum><text>A nonprofit organization described in <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/501">section 501(c)(3)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, a labor organization, or an entity with shared labor-management oversight, that has a demonstrated history of providing health profession training to eligible individuals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H78EEBE92889E487AB8E710D3A8EF2BB7"><enum>(I)</enum><text>An opioid treatment program (as defined in section 1861(jjj)(2)), and other comprehensive addiction care providers.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5B1BB8EAD60044F4AC51D58F11E01148"><enum>(J)</enum><text>A home and community-based services provider agency.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HCB45EBAC4820462382685B186E631D91"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Eligible individual</header><text>The term <term>eligible individual</term> means an individual whose family income does not exceed 200 percent of the Federal poverty level and has not been charged with or convicted of a violent crime or financial fraud (as determined by the Secretary).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD1E0869D33BD482B829C3C2BE0ECD7F3"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Federal poverty level</header><text>The term <term>Federal poverty level</term> means the poverty line (as defined in section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, including any revision required by such section applicable to a family of the size involved).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2820F22FF884415B88981B51D68E985A"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Indian tribe; tribal organization</header><text>The terms <quote>Indian tribe</quote> and <quote>tribal organization</quote> have the meaning given the terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/450b">25 U.S.C. 450b</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF4BDD9C2C01A48D988F7CCD5BFB8FA62"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Institution of higher education</header><text>The term <term>institution of higher education</term> has the meaning given the term in section 101 or 102(a)(1)(B) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H160F529C5DF546238556C9437A1BF708"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Territory</header><text>The term <term>territory</term> means the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE9EBD73CB1404CA98C61ACBD4688558E"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Tribal college or university</header><text>The term <term>tribal college or university</term> has the meaning given the term in section 316(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4C3F83282D1C4758884B8E8AEAC1106F"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this section on the adoption of paid leave by long-term care services providers and the recruitment and retention of direct care professionals through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience with evaluation of labor practices and people with disabilities and older individuals.</text></subsection><subsection id="HB5518AEB15BE4BA4837C5F4C042D7868"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated to the Secretary—</text><paragraph id="H8B8D33BCE92E402E8C0C3FC7F6E87C00"><enum>(1)</enum><text>$318,750,000 for grants under subsection (c)(1)(A) for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H01AB29F28C5F4FB0B76BA0E46A8CEED5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$17,000,000 for grants under subsection (c)(1)(B) for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD8157B0D81724FB1BF86A5FC65C6FD33"><enum>(3)</enum><text>$21,250,000 for grants under subsection (c)(1)(C) for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0B6592D0E35A4C3EB202616C9B927596"><enum>(4)</enum><text>$25,500,000 for projects conducted under subsection (h) for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB84E451D70E1437FB6A29CC3AFF19101"><enum>(5)</enum><text>$25,500,000, plus all amounts referred to in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection that remain unused after all grant awards are made for the fiscal year, for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029, for the provision of technical assistance and administration; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8CE0B06F1EBC475D9C6820059083A228"><enum>(6)</enum><text>$17,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for studying the effects of the projects for which a grant is made under this section, and for administration, for the purpose of supporting the rigorous evaluation of the projects, and supporting the continued study of the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of all such projects, including the effectiveness of new or added elements of the projects.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="HA18E3B09D5724AE8884528B7410FB6BA"><enum>208.</enum><header>Increasing workforce diversity in allied health professionals and direct support professionals</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended—</text><paragraph id="HFE7179CEB6354CC49B0A15786406D3E0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by redesignating part G (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/295j">42 U.S.C. 295j et seq.</external-xref>) as part H; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFDDCE888D2C1427DBB759DDB42FBA1E2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by inserting after part F (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/295h">42 U.S.C. 295h et seq.</external-xref>) the following new part:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE1880ACA20C347B8BB623F94774A6F36"><part id="H7295ABBCA23B435083A167B472DDB865"><enum>G</enum><header>Increasing workforce diversity in allied health professionals and direct care professionals</header><section id="H2BA546FEA7C0494F95BDDCF6B9933359"><enum>783.</enum><header>Scholarships and stipends</header><subsection id="HDF20B532E5E44BB1A51D70028D8BE132"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may award grants and contracts to eligible entities to increase educational opportunities in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, and direct care professionals for eligible individuals by—</text><paragraph id="H0C063512DB4E4A098D96A610AFBBCEFC"><enum>(1)</enum><text>providing student scholarships or stipends, including for—</text><subparagraph id="H0302E746FC6541EABFB108C876014B5C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>completion of an accelerated degree program;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3C4DBD7991E9445E8B0F3E81D61805B7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>completion of an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H969BCEAA02D84B208A549F6DD5559566"><enum>(C)</enum><text>entry by a diploma or associate’s degree practitioner into a bridge or degree completion program;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H35D18677D57E485B9833AD3C6E75777D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>providing assistance for completion of prerequisite courses or other preparation necessary for acceptance for enrollment in the eligible entity;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF79FEB8E15804ED8B728AF4EE513BA4A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>carrying out activities to increase the retention of students in 1 or more programs in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, and direct care professionals; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCC323DC3DC29422489505C2895D9D4FD"><enum>(4)</enum><text>building or strengthening career pipeline programs, including those for high school students, older workers and retirees, veterans, and other displaced workers.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6EFFC64F247441B2912F14F7899DDB80"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consideration of recommendations</header><text>In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the recommendations of national organizations representing the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, and direct care professionals, including the American Physical Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American Academy of Audiology, the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, and the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA135E3EFAE6C4F0B80AE2C4C9CD328B7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Required information and conditions for award recipients</header><paragraph id="HAA1E6C88B55146489E0300B1B660000F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may require recipients of awards under this section to report to the Secretary concerning the annual admission, retention, and graduation rates for eligible individuals in programs of the recipient leading to a degree in any of the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, and direct care professionals.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H505F6E19D6A64BE4B25D0519E292C189"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Falling rates</header><text>If any of the rates reported by a recipient under paragraph (1) fall below the average for such recipient over the 2 years preceding the year covered by the report, the recipient shall provide the Secretary with plans for immediately improving such rates.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE218A554952145398C674F64ABC043CF"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Ineligibility</header><text>A recipient described in paragraph (2) shall be ineligible for continued funding under this section if the plan of the recipient fails to improve the rates within the 1-year period beginning on the date such plan is implemented.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HBB7E56AF0C63423CA4EC29DAEAAE6868"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><paragraph id="H1E013C60909140D983C773E65804082D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In accordance with paragraph (2), the Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this section on the recruitment and retention in long-term care settings of certified nursing assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, respiratory therapists, direct support professionals, and any other direct care professionals determined by the Secretary.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1B0C39E914B74F43AF4BB4A6FF34E9A1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>External evaluator</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct the evaluation under paragraph (1) through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience with evaluation related to people with disabilities and older individuals.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H840313C6FD784C24994B98D0C2B4E169"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H42E9029B0DD54E50B8E3F3B39851146D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Direct care professional; disability</header><text>The terms <quote>direct care professional</quote> and <quote>disability</quote> have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1189CB5C4D7C44F4800154C8B6CB8031"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> means an education program that—</text><subparagraph id="H62D6D53A91794D4EB74EB5E356331D67"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is accredited by—</text><clause id="H5FF3AB0D69B44FF3997EF7F4979BF6C2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology or the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education;</text></clause><clause id="H7ACA4CBD18E844D884B0E64FFD552470"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education;</text></clause><clause id="H52FC5DC55784474686929818E0679E94"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education;</text></clause><clause id="H6588666332394925B190071C9CB8CDF7"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care; or</text></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEB466345AECD4B42810C2BB3B7CE5CD7"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals Certification Program; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9B755347DA9B4B04900A1CB7785B9FE7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students underrepresented in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, and direct care professionals (including racial or ethnic minorities, students with disabilities, or students from disadvantaged backgrounds).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE57E299D0E2F48E48253341744E9CB3C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Eligible individual</header><text>The term <term>eligible individual</term> means an individual who—</text><subparagraph id="H6216DFE5FA86447AA4AEAEF16FC4F2C0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is a member of a class of persons who are underrepresented in the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, and direct care professionals, including—</text><clause id="H1E15B92A1F85472C9EAA549191921FD4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>individuals who are racial or ethnic minorities; or</text></clause><clause id="HD54BCA4D6152429AA0CD716A479E1278"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6C987C806BBD48E09E7DEFE32E03F089"><enum>(B)</enum><text>has a financial need for a scholarship or stipend; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3463FD7447C5418AA20CDAC83AB2A54B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at a physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, speech-language pathology, or direct care professionals program as a full-time student at an eligible entity.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3CDE7CD18B594F519FABA025B8F5EB23"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Individualized education program</header><text>The term <term>individualized education program</term> has the meaning given such term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE7BAA065C21E456ABCD448D622D3EF4B"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Long-term care setting</header><text>The term <term>long-term care setting</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H933297A246B840A4BD8EA12FC71904CF"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Older individual</header><text>The term <term>older individual</term> has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4FA12A5D9E6A4E1F89B6FDF5035F92E1"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section></part><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section></chapter></subtitle><subtitle id="H2A85FC383D2E40CBAC776FBD0D678778"><enum>B</enum><header>Improving Workforce Recruitment</header><section id="H30038C6256F74C4DA823654C17F30E85"><enum>211.</enum><header>Technical assistance center for building the direct care professional workforce</header><subsection id="H138C5E0E9792440E9E00FE8989AE4445"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Grant program authorized</header><paragraph id="H3C2C4979690140C0A02FCDD4A8B5F7D1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the <quote>Secretary</quote>) shall award a grant, on a competitive basis, to an eligible partnership described in subsection (b) to create a national technical assistance center (referred to in this section as the <quote>Center</quote>) for supporting direct care professional workforce creation, training and education, recruitment, retention, and advancement, including through the activities under subsection (c).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3AE6DBD3DFA146CFB2B85EB11D1F5366"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>The Center shall carry out activities under this section in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the heads of other entities as necessary.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H85F03E7917884C8089944BB56776313C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligible partnerships</header><paragraph id="H3EAA766532FD40A79BAC89F9182AACF4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An eligible partnership described in this subsection is a partnership of 3 or more of the following:</text><subparagraph id="H2A5E080053B94219B894857FA3DAB2AE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An institution of higher education.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7B8635AACEE444DDBC5E21490C96B9C5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A disability-led organization.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H026F1D42966F425DBA18E81482133A56"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An organization focusing on older individuals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC8C4604B42D841528D89D8FC4584FFE5"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An organization focusing on direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H667B71C883AC4332A6C67AB968E063CE"><enum>(E)</enum><text>An organization that represents service provider agencies that employ direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBBFBB7ADA5694DDCB86CF75683EBF53F"><enum>(F)</enum><text>An organization, including a labor organization, that fosters professional development.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5E2513DDEA864EFFBEE03E22FE38A02A"><enum>(G)</enum><text>A University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service supported under subtitle D of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15061">42 U.S.C. 15061 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE0CC4E8C857489B89F1C6EC61B4CCF3"><enum>(H)</enum><text>An agency implementing a State protection and advocacy system described in section 143 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15043">42 U.S.C. 15043</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H462BA91BDADA4AA0B94D0118C08FCAC2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>A State Council on Developmental Disabilities (as such term is used in subtitle B of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15021">42 U.S.C. 15021 et seq.</external-xref>)).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCA6A6C077BA14DE5BF57230D335643F1"><enum>(J)</enum><text>An organization representing a center for independent living, as described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/796f">29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1871B1B71E8B40859CE3D14ECF15E5CF"><enum>(K)</enum><text>An organization representing veterans.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3BEE4A32653C47859E5A694C772165C9"><enum>(L)</enum><text>An organization representing parents or caregivers of children with disabilities or chronic conditions.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE88E4EB28D1A4157AA7A2F76599616CF"><enum>(M)</enum><text>Any other entity the Secretary designates as important to improving the direct care professional workforce.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA40231A7838046E887AAD4B3D447E035"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Applications</header><text>To be eligible for a grant under this section, an eligible partnership described in paragraph (1) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HBE606ADD78D0401598D4CA0BA25AE34F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Activities</header><text>The Center may—</text><paragraph id="H9345B6E02C1449BC96AB356B09BBFBC2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>develop recommendations for training and education curricula for direct care professionals, which such recommendations may include recommendations for curricula for higher education, postsecondary credentials, and programs with community and technical colleges;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H31EDFFD3852E43E6B0A742C1BC8E719F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop learning and dissemination strategies to—</text><subparagraph id="H306C69D1B6334201A62A8BF8E56F7D04"><enum>(A)</enum><text>engage States and other entities in activities supported under this section and best practices for supporting the direct care professional workforce; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7B61F91F32884073A83677FA52FF5B18"><enum>(B)</enum><text>distribute findings from activities supported by the grant under this section;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H666687BB27764433B36411C950BCBBEF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>explore the national data gaps, workforce shortage areas, and data collection strategies for direct care professionals and make recommendations to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget for an occupation category in the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct care professionals as a healthcare support occupation; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H24DFA49063D64E918CEBC45130D26277"><enum>(4)</enum><text>recommend career development and advancement opportunities for direct care professionals, which may include occupational frameworks, national standards, recruitment campaigns, pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities, apprenticeship programs, career pathways, specializations or certifications, educational information about career opportunities in long-term care settings, or other activities.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD959A8AA8D0D42A0B33EA720D696C768"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Advisory council</header><paragraph id="H0B25906D12194BF1862A81549A80690B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall convene an advisory council to provide recommendations to the Center with respect to the duties of the Center under this section and may engage individuals described in paragraph (2) for service on the advisory council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAAD003702FCE41259920B0190B686F0C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Individuals</header><text>The individuals described in this paragraph include—</text><subparagraph id="H7A64EB20B7C74897A705ED640D4D36D5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>older individuals and people with disabilities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H79EFBF0436B549FF826D7F180A726759"><enum>(B)</enum><text>organizations representing the rights and interests of people receiving services from direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H124B6ED0229942B58BF6E459F51F7A58"><enum>(C)</enum><text>individuals who are direct care professionals and organizations representing the rights and interests of direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8E7513F057A94B59B0115681270BC985"><enum>(D)</enum><text>as applicable, employers of individuals described in subparagraph (C) and labor organizations representing such individuals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H30DD521C41F549F4B8B5FBCE97FFBF18"><enum>(E)</enum><text>representatives of State Medicaid agencies, State agencies defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/3002">42 U.S.C. 3002</external-xref>), State developmental disabilities offices, and State mental health agencies;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0F99162F9EBC4237A50A2FF99C467DF3"><enum>(F)</enum><text>representatives reflecting diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, and gender identity and sexual orientation perspectives;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H16F71366D1144FEF844220E9D63ABEC6"><enum>(G)</enum><text>representatives of local boards and State boards;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H94477D3D7DC249B8A31D5161FFCF4D4E"><enum>(H)</enum><text>a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in the development or delivery of curricula or coursework;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1D4DC08646104E429D3A9A93356A2246"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a nonprofit organization, including a labor organization, that fosters the professional development and collective engagement of direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9A9ED3840EA0453B952D65FA0E35D568"><enum>(J)</enum><text>area agencies on aging;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE87DA4623D604803BAA85BC87F6B004B"><enum>(K)</enum><text>centers for independent living, as described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/796f">29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.</external-xref>);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB7FEE8DBFBB44951A57CAF4538C9AA45"><enum>(L)</enum><text>representatives of State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (as such term is used in subtitle B of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15021">42 U.S.C. 15021 et seq.</external-xref>));</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6EF51E14583C40CC8BB591A7E23E4B7E"><enum>(M)</enum><text>representatives of Aging and Disability Resource Centers;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H518079794A41438191F7779B29737D4A"><enum>(N)</enum><text>representatives of nonprofit State provider associations that represents providers who employ direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H62C0900C537A43EB836790D9C8D5126E"><enum>(O)</enum><text>representatives of entities that employ direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDED5125E2FA649D099C232C42C610205"><enum>(P)</enum><text>representatives of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service supported under subtitle D of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15061">42 U.S.C. 15061 et seq.</external-xref>);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB00238680E164565857338C3F59C4842"><enum>(Q)</enum><text>representatives of State protection and advocacy systems described in section 143 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15043">42 U.S.C. 15043</external-xref>); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDAC906C71E94423BB4A08FA5D4D7141A"><enum>(R)</enum><text>representatives of direct care professional organizations representing underserved communities, including communities of color.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC246982C7CE24F4C907B70A01CE4DAC6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section><section id="H4B41EC8C3E16470C9CC86B52EB7D82B7"><enum>212.</enum><header>Report on efforts to enhance the direct care professional workforce</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, a report that contains an assessment of the programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services related to enhancing the direct care professional workforce, including the extent to which programs and activities authorized under titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/292">42 U.S.C. 292 et seq.</external-xref>; <external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/296">42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.</external-xref>) address—</text><paragraph id="H99EA6A3047EA49E79ECCEF3CBBD0BBD0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>increasing nursing faculty who are trained in geriatric nursing;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3D1E88707B8B4D9A90CB263269F05D2A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>increasing individuals preparing for careers in or advanced degrees in geriatric nursing or long-term care;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H03ECEA8D27CA4F27981325AFB812E85E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>increasing direct care professionals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA0D9DAEB96204929B6B98954E5C85033"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the extent to which the Department coordinates with other Federal departments regarding programs designed to improve the direct care professional workforce; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H66F9A38B78814C5392CCFB117C6612E9"><enum>(5)</enum><text>recommendations for best practices.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H13E0C488E5864FB0832F0DA2B4253BE4"><enum>213.</enum><header>Comprehensive geriatric education</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 865 of the Public Health Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/298">42 U.S.C. 298</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HCC7637B38178488EB1B9754AFEB58D36"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a), by striking <quote>the elderly</quote> and inserting <quote>older individuals</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC00EF28EBF384F10BB478359B86330DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text><subparagraph id="HE7315A0B85774B7C92071487A3224F78"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (1), by striking <quote>the elderly</quote> and inserting <quote>older individuals</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC88C97FFF8D748CF80694BD8A613F3F2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in paragraph (2), by striking <quote>treatment</quote> and all that follows and inserting <quote>health care needs of older individuals;</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAC502CFE5AC845FDBD18C3C8DDC3C133"><enum>(C)</enum><text>in paragraph (5), by striking <quote>the elderly population</quote> and inserting <quote>older individuals</quote>; </text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBED2A7E84B7F40F9A5749BBCB8FB0E1E"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (d)—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HEBCD7E394C084E5F9CE39E6A871693A3"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in the heading, by striking <quote><header-in-text style="OLC" level="subsection">Eligible Entity</header-in-text></quote> and inserting <quote><header-in-text style="OLC" level="subsection">Definitions</header-in-text></quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA76C9BF9F2A1439AB520634485B4C503"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">by striking <quote>For purposes of this section, the term</quote> and inserting “For purposes of this section:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HED440FE6CDA849FB8F5519E22C6E3F6B"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HB9543A8D597146E0BC3171FFEEF9C2DE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC19939670CE94A4B86539837621A5BF2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H6DEB61675B8A423BB692385A269D123F"><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H86314909CEDA4F29B2BC7E1450501E24"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Older individual</header><text>The term <term>older individual</term> has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0A219445C91444B7817E800687B65B06"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in subsection (e), by striking <quote>years</quote> and all that follows and inserting <quote>years 2025 through 2029.</quote>. </text></paragraph></section><section id="HDF5BE96D210946498EDE5840CBCB9184"><enum>214.</enum><header>Review of the availability and quality of apprenticeship programs in long-term care settings</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress that—</text><paragraph id="HC957685A76AD48C7A2BE7E7168BA9308"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identifies the extent of vacancies at employers that employ direct care professionals at the State and local levels within the direct care professional workforce, including with respect to vacancies of direct care professionals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H01C519A3C744409B8324180F942639B9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>review existing apprenticeship programs in the direct care professional workforce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H59B5AD3B8C4F46A997FD63ABAA59A8CC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide recommendations on the design of apprenticeship programs in the direct care professional workforce, including about potential funding opportunities, potential apprenticeship program sponsors, and a national competency-based occupational framework; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H617B7CB123454E9D92C553458D7B68D0"><enum>(4)</enum><text>identify opportunities for coordination with other State and local entities, including State educational agencies, local educational agencies, career and technical education programs, institutions of higher education, State agencies with responsibility for administering a State Medicaid program, and labor management organizations, to create apprenticeship programs and other ways to incorporate associate and bachelor’s degrees in apprenticeship programs.</text></paragraph></section><section id="HE798BEA148A6440CACB4F82D07C551B8"><enum>215.</enum><header>Rural health workforce grant program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Part D of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/294">42 U.S.C. 294 et seq.</external-xref>) is amended by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9BFC6525E4AF412D80DBD28213C8CA88"><section id="HC0153A90E2D446C188B8E48F2262FB7B"><enum>760A.</enum><header>Rural health workforce grant program</header><subsection id="HEB412FC7E19E4E6C8EF8099599951754"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H53BCBAD261184C61A3AB7D56A68C827B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act definitions</header><text>The terms <term>career and technical education</term>, <term>career guidance and academic counseling</term>, and <term>program of study</term> have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.</text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4EF010BAF3FC4DAC852DCD8EAD6D9229"><enum>(2)</enum><header>ESEA definitions</header><text>The terms <term>elementary school</term>, <term>local educational agency</term>, and <quote>secondary school</quote> have the meanings given the terms in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD18D944C3ADC44FD88476474ADDD10E2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Institution of higher education</header><text>The term <term>institution of higher education</term> has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBA507448CCBB49C7A4FC3D10E8B7FC93"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Long-term Care Workforce Support Act</header><text>The terms <term>direct care professional</term> and <term>direct care professional workforce</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2D40E6FC94D240DB9734BD46F7E16959"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Workforce innovation and opportunity act definitions</header><text>The terms <term>career pathway</term>, <term>industry or sector partnership</term>, and <term>local board</term> have the meanings given the terms in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H99CA2ED34CFE4000BAC6DBEC113C5195"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of grants</header><paragraph id="H5B439B52BF4841FFBE54A907F2AB4A11"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration and in consultation with the Secretary of Education, shall award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities to develop career exploration programs aligned to career and technical education programs of study to bring awareness to elementary school and secondary school students in underserved rural communities about health care professions careers and provide children and youth underserved rural community health care experiences related to such careers.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H03D939E5B60843DEB1B61AC317D7FD38"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Grant amount</header><text>Each grant awarded under this section shall be in an amount that is not more than $250,000 per year.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFB6769990EE048DF88C0944D9544B06B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Grant period</header><text>Each grant awarded under this section shall be for a period not to exceed 5 years.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA2D8C34B382E4B9AA440225FE886BDE5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligible entities</header><paragraph id="H24DEC3CD91E14A44BE8A7114683E0FED"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall meet the following requirements:</text><subparagraph id="HC1295AA1A46548708F7A3F02FB28FF5E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Be a consortium consisting of a local educational agency and at least 2 of the following:</text><clause id="H627B96B6C79E4FC4BCF4DCD04D02AD6D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>An institution of higher education that provides a recognized postsecondary credential in health care.</text></clause><clause id="HFAC50DA387274A64B541B7F71144C926"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A health care practice, facility, or provider organization.</text></clause><clause id="H06FFB6445CCA48B69250A82FC2F59416"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>A State, Indian Tribe or Tribal organization, or a local governmental entity.</text></clause><clause id="H6CD638C4F7BE45B2B98D65DA4BCBEA64"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>A local board.</text></clause><clause id="H24CC40C8ECEB4B8786AC32FA44BA3BC3"><enum>(v)</enum><text>An industry or sector partnership.</text></clause><clause id="HA7D1E3962AEB4DC98775FAD0F6AA44FB"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>A nonprofit organization representing the interests of underserved rural communities and rural health care.</text></clause><clause id="HF807FD4032C448FEB3A0C68BD8BAB325"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>An area health education center.</text></clause><clause id="HE8A1FDE38A5743C19BC384B7E69A5222"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>A rural health clinic.</text></clause><clause id="H65A458E64EB0409B9F78786ED34FCB3C"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>Any other entity as determined appropriate by the Secretary.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDC3CAF266A994C55A10B3D343BC80DDF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information that the Secretary may require, including a plan for the long-term tracking of participants supported by the grant under this section.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HBEF1D7D1EA8540FB8808BBCD1304A8B1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Matching funds</header><text>In order to ensure the institutional commitment of an entity to a program supported by a grant under this section, to be eligible to receive such a grant, the Secretary may require the entity seeking such grant to agree to make available (directly or through contributions from State, county or municipal governments, or the public or private sector) recurring non-Federal contributions in cash or in kind (including plant, equipment, or services) towards the costs of operating the program in an amount that is equal to not less than 50 percent of the total costs of operating such program.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H03C6A459B09B4DDABFD5B8566EE76ACA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—</text><paragraph id="HD83240ECA76944D584E61936005E6ED1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>include in its consortium—</text><subparagraph id="HBD80A0F34745427E91B7BA263E30F802"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an entity that has demonstrated alignment with a State plan or local application developed under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4F0D28BDE9384306BF15F89E9BC58124"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a high-need local educational agency, as defined in section 200 of the Higher Education Act of 1965, or a local educational agency eligible to receive assistance under part B of title V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H78FC226AC1224D07894C4FCAAACD02FF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an institution of higher education at which at least 30 percent of the enrolled students are Federal Pell Grant recipients;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2E3A4D747D5E4E9FA2C6960B923C73C7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a minority-serving institution of higher education described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H65028A0921174096B700F7E23A37DE6A"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a local educational agency that serves the greatest number of students; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8083C282607D4B64A6B6210A99EFC40E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide a plan to sustain the program funded under the grant beyond the period of the grant.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H351A44D2BF77442586ED43082BA94946"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Use of funds; requirements</header><text>An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to establish, improve, or expand an underserved rural community training program for elementary school students and secondary school students that meets the following requirements:</text><paragraph id="H5BECFD8D982B437698FF3926FF493215"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Carrying out program planning, including—</text><subparagraph id="HC00C2F35EEE64CB9A8DEE703891C3BB7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>development and support of a coordinating body to organize, administer, and oversee the activities of the consortium;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1AC2ED099E2D4164933E5F06CDA9CB07"><enum>(B)</enum><text>conducting a needs analysis using data, including community demographics, workforce estimates, and capacity of training programs to direct work of the consortium; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBDA4496455D745DBAE324BD68B3629B9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>developing a regional articulation plan that benefits students with respect to reducing barriers to program entry, reducing time to graduation, and lower cost training options.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H73C52E2F58F44C81ACE0355A062104F9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Carrying out age-appropriate education activities and promotion of the program that align with section 135(b)(1) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, including—</text><subparagraph id="HFE0A4D72D1454770A3DDC2CBB9D39319"><enum>(A)</enum><text>engaging students in underserved rural communities in elementary school for exposure to health career workforce opportunities, and including direct care professionals in educational opportunities as practicable;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5814E17BE7334855BF2B104FD7873E28"><enum>(B)</enum><text>exposing secondary school students in underserved rural communities to health career workforce opportunities available in their communities, including by providing career guidance and academic counseling on such opportunities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H78ADFC74FB50444FA9876965AB35D2B1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>developing strategies to address resiliency and mental health among elementary school and secondary school students in underserved rural communities interested in health care professions careers in such communities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H892C686A97BA41E09379F7BABE6069DB"><enum>(D)</enum><text>providing age-appropriate mentoring, academic enrichment, or support for elementary school and secondary school students in underserved rural communities, carried out by health care professionals or peers;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8013741A655B43C8914F0815BC764C56"><enum>(E)</enum><text>enrolling secondary school students (including those in underserved rural communities) in health care career and technical education programs of study or career pathways in underserved rural communities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H82900C4109EE48C59008C36E1F1D9E77"><enum>(F)</enum><text>developing and enrolling of secondary school students in pre- and youth-apprenticeships or summer programs that provide clinical or other health care professions focused experiences in underserved rural communities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB3E7F12B9E0E4452BD99ACF24F9B7363"><enum>(G)</enum><text>providing financial supplemental support for student transportation to, and housing at, the program site, as appropriate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD42C6E9BDC2B4F869724F322C46FE2DF"><enum>(H)</enum><text>such other activities as the Secretary determines appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H57B022BF8BD5407098548D1D9B3CEFA3"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Each such program shall be carried out for a term of not less than 5 years.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD48C28BBE57F4217BC910CBCE59FD261"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Technical assistance</header><text>The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall, directly or indirectly, provide technical assistance to grant recipients for purposes of carrying out the programs described in subsection (e).</text></subsection><subsection id="HEF93870CE31445088BE0DC8408D682F6"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Reporting</header><paragraph id="HA8046B35932E468BBFA75E4B5D0941F0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Annual reporting by recipients</header><subparagraph id="H75CFB6883D4842C29EF58C72187788F5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An eligible entity receiving a grant under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary on the progress of the program supported by such grant, based on criteria the Secretary determines appropriate, including the program selection of students who participated in the program.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0936B5FA724D4173B1875E16768DB93C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>Each report required under subparagraph (A) shall include any data requested by the Secretary, which may include, as appropriate, the number of participants and the demographics of such participants served by the program supported by the grant, including the number of participants who enrolled in the program and withdrew prior to completion of the program.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF161AC5239B346B597D1D20A7BAF3300"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Reports to congress</header><subparagraph id="HF28B1EACED16466B84C481144B386A9A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Annual reports</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and annually thereafter until all programs supported through a grant under this section are completed, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that includes the progress of each program supported by a grant under this section and the challenges experienced by grantees with respect to such programs.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H691216676E8149ADBA0AFCE8F219E6B0"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Grant cycle final report</header><text>Not later than September 30, 2030, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall submit a report to Congress on the lessons learned through the programs supported by grants under this section and that based on such lessons identifies best practices for career exploration programs with a focus on underserved rural communities and the direct care professional workforce.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF028DB32C0294B3C9A7791E1A5E5201D"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The Secretary shall, by regulation, define the term <term>underserved rural community</term> for purposes of this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="H9EB8CEBD56624EDFA2470F8F2D183139"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Supplement not supplant</header><text>Any eligible entity receiving funds under this section shall use such funds to supplement, not supplant, any other Federal, State, and local funds that would otherwise be expended by such entity to carry out the activities described in this section.</text></subsection><subsection id="HE3F3D03193164857B1891FEA2F973A69"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><paragraph id="H41FD014C74374FC0B952B64B4A212372"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this section on the recruitment of secondary school students residing in underserved rural communities entering professions of direct care professionals.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H30C488283DBC41E2B9EFD939B6949058"><enum>(2)</enum><header>External evaluator</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct the evaluation under paragraph (1) through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience with evaluation related to workforce development and people with disabilities and older individuals.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H10FCD876D36A4428A79128AF1ECCAB90"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H817B6277C09C427F9847258611D5FD2B"><enum>C</enum><header>Providing career advancement opportunities; assessment of worker well-being</header><section id="HB0C9AC594F0A4D8DBED7FB8980831742"><enum>221.</enum><header>Assessment of direct care professional well-being</header><subsection id="HE407E85404B2485F806E1384DC3A8E4C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the <quote>Secretary</quote>), in coordination with the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall—</text><paragraph id="H7DEF1C1DFBB64018BEBD7B213CC1214A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, develop a research-based tool for assessing direct care professional well-being, as described in subsection (b); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC3B88C06BC7B49CB9309EAC479AE28AF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not less frequently than biennially, collect data on worker well-being using the tool developed pursuant to paragraph (1) and make such data publicly available as described in subsection (c).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H406EC13F36D946A596B8DB54C00BE1CB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assessment tool</header><text>The tool for the assessment of direct care professional well-being developed under subsection (a)(1) shall—</text><paragraph id="HD93913539A6D455EA394780F0343458A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>include the use of an anonymous, validated survey of direct care professionals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFA3785C5A48C4B4594918AD19DB3C77B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>at a minimum, assess and include the views of such professionals on—</text><subparagraph id="H869B09B473BC4611B4B5F38F8AEE74B8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>workplace policies and culture, including meaningful engagement of such professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7DA9FC6C25E24EA4B4EF114A25B6F8D7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>workplace physical environment and safety;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBF565293C3DE4E54B08C9D06CC7C15E4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>circumstances outside of work for such professionals; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H32E4632845914939B6B64C119FFC358A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the physical and mental health status of such professionals; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0FF6ADDE4C8C4BF581B15AA6DF7223D4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>be developed with input from direct care professionals, older individuals, people with disabilities, and family members of older individuals and people with disabilities.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1BFBA563DCDC4687ABEEEEA7A3DC4240"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Public availability of aggregate data and the assessment tool</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text><paragraph id="HB95FE1E7EE11449CB68B8BC1C96AA069"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make available, through a publicly available data repository, aggregated and de-identified data collected by the assessment of direct care professional well-being under subsection (a);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD9FBEA147B544EB9AA4CF11EBDB9DA8D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make the assessment tool developed under subsection (a)(1) publicly available in a format that allows employers, researchers, and other entities to voluntarily use and administer such assessment for purposes of using information collected by the assessment to improve the well-being of direct care professionals; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF20C17AEC15D475A8A76A97CEE66C777"><enum>(3)</enum><text>conduct outreach to employers, researchers, and other relevant entities to increase awareness of the availability of the tool for the assessment of the well-being of direct care professionals.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFFB85A1B4AD14090B3D3757F9428A706"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Burden on participants</header><text>In developing the assessment tool under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall minimize the burden of the data collection process on direct care professionals.</text></subsection><subsection id="H20F3AEDFB2744D17BA099551B3D389D9"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Confidentiality</header><text>The Secretary shall ensure that the assessment tool developed under subsection (a)(1), the process of data collection under subsection (a), and the publicly available data under subsection (c)(1), do not involve the collection or disclosure of any individually identifiable information regarding the direct care professionals who are being assessed.</text></subsection><subsection id="H8C7884B9A85847E7827D61A1CFA69580"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that the assessment tool developed under subsection (a)(1) or the data collected through such tool be used for purposes of quality measurement or payment systems under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1395">42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.</external-xref>) or a State Medicaid program.</text></subsection><subsection id="H111CB950C96B48C095731A342BFCB585"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall—</text><paragraph id="H03D5A2F77EE1404DBE93212942BD23D4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>submit to Congress a report on the findings of the assessment under subsection (a), including any recommendations to address direct care professional well-being; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB0787D7E7E934D91AEBE2A8682FB999D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make such report publicly available on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H26380C3D60AE49CF9E5F9DB77780F305"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Definition of well-Being</header><text>For purposes of this section, the term <term>well-being</term>, with respect to a direct care professional, means the quality of life with respect to the health and work-related environment of such professional as related to organizational and psychosocial factors.</text></subsection><subsection id="H8DCC362DE8A748FB8AD636A5A0D9DEC5"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2030. </text></subsection></section><section id="HFE518F8691D943EBA2119B049A97A92A"><enum>222.</enum><header>National Direct Care Professional Training Standards Commission</header><subsection id="HDDEA3597B61C4954AE0B5D8188B42E81"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><paragraph id="HA707437EB8F143DA8FFD2DE94D43F452"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish the National Direct Care Professional Training Standards Commission (referred to in this section as the <quote>Commission</quote>) to advise the Secretary on—</text><subparagraph id="H9CC266ABF0784EB8881055EBE9241A06"><enum>(A)</enum><text>developing national direct care professional training standards described in paragraph (2) to recommend to States to implement; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA0027B71726A42C6889DBC081A9E9716"><enum>(B)</enum><text>providing support for States in implementing such standards.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HCCEEC50AF2064AD8A58276C2A74F72AE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Standards</header><text>The standards under this subsection shall be—</text><subparagraph id="HC24B0073B2814543BE6A66C5EC551CE4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>competency-based;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF14D628E051042ADB2909E2F83F7BF58"><enum>(B)</enum><text>industry-recognized; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H31A489332266452EA29EAF637DEDD4FF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>portable across settings and States.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H89CACFC5E655467499210BBA90A457AD"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Membership</header><text>The Commission shall include representatives from the following:</text><subparagraph id="H824680D299984D1690AE6DAE2551BB8C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>An organization representing older individuals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDBD88430C16C45DEBAAF1CB11C666869"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An organization led by people with disabilities.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA136CABDBB544D92B79FCD412A0225BD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>An organization representing the rights and interests of people receiving services from direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD99CFE11D5C2409D87105EEBF86DEB28"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An organization (other than a labor organization) representing direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF119B756D5DB4E83BCA21277259C11C6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Labor organizations representing direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6E83319D60264565B15FBD360CB8DC5D"><enum>(F)</enum><text>An organization representing State Medicaid agencies, State agencies defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/3002">42 U.S.C. 3002</external-xref>), State developmental disabilities offices, and State mental health agencies.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1A3CA2A9764E43729DDC0BE37288CAF8"><enum>(G)</enum><text>An organization representing local boards and State boards.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEECF5887EAC241E5B30A140DD5D14B41"><enum>(H)</enum><text>An organization representing area agencies on aging.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD81D763FA9EB4901ADC5C08E297A438A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>An organization representing centers for independent living, as described in part C of title VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/796f">29 U.S.C. 796f et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0936C25353F24544BD99B12085A71B12"><enum>(J)</enum><text>An organization representing State Councils on Developmental Disabilities (as such term is used in subtitle B of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15021">42 U.S.C. 15021 et seq.</external-xref>)).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H065E3D36FBDC4A2EA4C3D234A5E31186"><enum>(K)</enum><text>An organization representing Aging and Disability Resource Centers.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7F5FAA45726C41539CD381DB77FED239"><enum>(L)</enum><text>An organization representing nonprofit State provider associations.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H978D1070C98A4BA284F8054FBAE84E48"><enum>(M)</enum><text>An organization representing entities that employ direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H84372C1D10814326A3579911513AB631"><enum>(N)</enum><text>An organization representing University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service supported under subtitle D of title I of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15061">42 U.S.C. 15061 et seq.</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE35C146B67A5493BB0B298183ECA32E3"><enum>(O)</enum><text>An organization representing State protection and advocacy systems described in section 143 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/15043">42 U.S.C. 15043</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6660497D640E43EFA94E2663920F34CC"><enum>(P)</enum><text>Representatives of direct care professional organizations representing underserved communities, including communities of color.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8FEBD75558A1494F9993E60B613A7571"><enum>(Q)</enum><text>Representatives reflecting diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, and gender identity and sexual orientation perspectives.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC91CC81AA4C646C09CEA959A0941D6F4"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Period of appointment; vacancies</header><subparagraph id="H7508C351085B4CE59E82C4E6A191AFC3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A member of the Commission shall be appointed for the life of the Commission.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9F77D7A549E84638BACE9CFEE562E68C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Vacancies</header><text>A vacancy in the Commission—</text><clause id="H7D86C898EE764DB1A533D8C53B92BA53"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and</text></clause><clause id="H1A7A430909BE43219FE02EF3E5AC6C00"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE6396E7A478D4A40AF585C62D747D03E"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Meetings</header><subparagraph id="H2497535072644CE5A024377EE07CE6F2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Initial meeting</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold the first meeting of the Commission.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H02351D60F10A40D5B546EB1E1CDE7D8A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Frequency</header><text>The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairperson.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H14C4892AF80A44049DA89C5D0BECD454"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H200D00F163094C158B3831A28EEB5A28"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Chairperson and vice chairperson</header><text>The Commission shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Commission.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFE8CCF049E8844ABAC58730C4CE826E8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties</header><paragraph id="H4E3F9CCC64314DB2A5BF3ED1F6B9E339"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Study</header><text>The Commission shall conduct a thorough study of all matters relating to direct care professional training standards.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3D656291466C4E87A68A61F4FB9E835B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>The Commission shall develop recommendations on—</text><subparagraph id="H76B59A251BD040D697534EB194BF6F2C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>national training standards for direct care professionals that meet the requirements under subsection (a)(2); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9516C893ABCF42259F71C12BF22BA8F2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>methods for supporting States in implementing such standards.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H993CD7D69CF64ED6965E2F1E05926788"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report that contains a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the Commission, together with the recommendations of the Commission for such legislation and administrative actions as the Commission considers appropriate. </text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H99376B66B6BD412DB3F2BAF7C9EE21D2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Powers of Commission</header><paragraph id="H57039A01FF6941B183D0D5DDB2178CCF"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Hearings</header><text>The Commission may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers advisable to carry out this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE989383C72654F7DB1B076DBFEF463CB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Information from Federal agencies</header><subparagraph id="H3371E94A82194EECB1114BDD198ACEE6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Commission may secure directly from a Federal department or agency such information as the Commission considers necessary to carry out this section.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBCD4A0F01F9C4720AA0877F66F201429"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Furnishing information</header><text>On request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the department or agency shall furnish the information to the Commission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6DF5ADF3BCF8438A88A700EB59894177"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Postal services</header><text>The Commission may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H215899B5B4B247A483D5D5E7CEECE2EA"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Gifts</header><text>The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H286C8F5ADA1941D79E727576CDD21B88"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Commission personnel matters</header><paragraph id="H34E9DDA8824D41D58F7BBF9B94C3F885"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation of members</header><text>A member of the Commission who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H39AA2C181CA44150B6C6A6FA9F0DFC60"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Travel expenses</header><text>A member of the Commission shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H317E340BA6514642B7FE31D1C487B2AB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Staff</header><subparagraph id="H9D03F680F7324C6FAA43DF8107DD42B3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Chairperson of the Commission may, without regard to the civil service laws (including regulations), appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the Commission to perform its duties, except that the employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the Commission.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9FF0EAF4F77E404996EFC237021A0F8C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>The Chairperson of the Commission may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter 51 and subchapter III of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/53">chapter 53</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, relating to classification of positions and General Schedule pay rates, except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H73C155214948450F9A9E57CAA6491401"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Detail of government employees</header><text>A Federal Government employee may be detailed to the Commission without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9F83DFA39121409F9FFFFD968D1AFED9"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Procurement of temporary and intermittent services</header><text>The Chairperson of the Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that title.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HBD0080A415F24F6892B1BF50DA07B3EA"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Termination of commission</header><text>The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report required under subsection (b)(3).</text></subsection><subsection id="HE3156CF060C248EEB3054EF95B5F76AB"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $500,000 for fiscal year 2025, to remain available, without fiscal year limitation, until expended.</text></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H0740EA96A37E4AACAB3C90187494F4D7"><enum>D</enum><header>Increasing supports for the existing direct care professional workforce</header><section id="HEED6F6511ADA42E68D7B041C29ED6753"><enum>231.</enum><header>Mental health services</header><subsection id="HA281BBE5A1F04973B0E757CC23B9169B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Programs To promote mental health among direct care professionals</header><paragraph id="H0B29748C09EB4655A78F9FD27012A947"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the <quote>Secretary</quote>) shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities to establish or enhance evidence-based or evidence-informed programs dedicated to improving mental health and resiliency for direct care professionals.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0D3E2918175D4F95A8021175B97BF52A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>To be eligible to receive an award under this subsection, an entity shall be—</text><subparagraph id="H7EE589A304154F3EA26B496BD24D4F7D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a State;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H47AD1B5D7E6E43D4B84A517B446A29B9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a labor organization, joint labor management organization, or employer of direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB02B9E9C25984745B7D84028DA0E52D2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a nonprofit entity with experience in aging, disability, or supporting the rights and interests of, the training of, or educating direct care professionals; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB1D8C045707D474C909FF9B668398658"><enum>(D)</enum><text>an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Urban Indian organization.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1758871B9A4D449A9E01857EB3057428"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><text>A recipient of an award under this subsection shall use funds received through the award to implement and evaluate a new program or enhance an existing program to promote mental health among direct care professionals, which may include—</text><subparagraph id="H6296F6981B524DDF8B6495A808D70A39"><enum>(A)</enum><text>improving awareness among direct care professionals about risk factors for, and signs of, suicide and mental health or substance use disorders, in accordance with evidence-based or evidence-informed practices;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H92B68BF5880942768AE0A60B479579C4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>establishing new, or enhancing existing, evidence-based or evidence-informed programs for preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H20E2F4FBF58147BC895A25D14A3AFC39"><enum>(C)</enum><text>establishing new, or enhancing existing, peer-support programs for direct care professionals; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF43E71F34BC94CEAA925202310EB3ED9"><enum>(D)</enum><text>providing—</text><clause id="H5291003353FA45769653ACC8A42C4DFA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>mental health care;</text></clause><clause id="HC78E8CA97B4B41FABCE4E988CDB4596D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>follow-up services or care by a licensed or certified mental health professional (including by means of telehealth); or</text></clause><clause id="HE28B43FD64C54150B3B5CA647B6645D4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a referral for such services or care by such a professional, as appropriate.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB9CD60ED2CE946BAAA8F5B9938202B26"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to an eligible entity in—</text><subparagraph id="H6260FF877C58413F8AACA666FA4A2983"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a rural area; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7626264A5579476F9CA16965AC130D24"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an area where the number of direct care professional vacancies, in the year of the application, is greater than 30 percent of the total number of direct care professional positions in the area.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC78EF7ED9D364C28AC7D301A90C4B909"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Training grants</header><paragraph id="H36E67DF61F5D410D8F0A707AD2FB00F9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may establish a program to award grants to eligible entities to support the inclusion, in direct care professional preparation programs and in training, continuing education, or professional development programs for direct care professionals, of evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies—</text><subparagraph id="H8ACEC752B44043358B6FBC96B971E096"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to address mental and substance use disorders of direct care professionals; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7980EF722D8D452BAFB1BDE28A7F3B4C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to improve mental health and resiliency among direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H95C6F20D68AD40E7925E9DE6221AEEA7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an entity shall be—</text><subparagraph id="H677280494B3C4BAC9ED9A5F7DFAC2E3E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an institution of higher education;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2FCB07D6E6E84F0DA62A0E6EE32C0BA0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a State or local government;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5C2C5E12C95D46C7B9EBD83E5AAC14CD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8D459266009E470C8B2521C82FF63142"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a public or private nonprofit entity determined appropriate by the Secretary; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H74222E4065E44CA8B5BC72D2EB24EB4F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a consortia of entities described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (D), including such entities promoting multidisciplinary approaches.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H3904C4EF65DB40CB9912DB31668F89C4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grant terms</header><text>A grant, contract, or cooperative agreement awarded under subsection (a) or (b) shall be for a period of 3 years.</text></subsection><subsection id="HEE6137BDAF114C6385C406DD6D7A0DC5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Application submission</header><text>An entity seeking an award under subsection (a) or (b) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may require.</text></subsection><subsection id="H9DAF8BF5655A40298A83796FB3929388"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Annual report</header><text>An entity receiving an award under subsection (a) or (b) shall submit to the Secretary an annual report evaluating the activities supported by the award.</text></subsection><subsection id="HA9EA8FE6DC01482095106330ACABA415"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section><section id="HB49C6C25035D48DEB2B86BCE698308E0"><enum>232.</enum><header>Dissemination of best practices with respect to mental health of direct care professionals</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—</text><paragraph id="HA99FA8238595435190B3333DBB14B735"><enum>(1)</enum><text>identify evidence-based or evidence-informed best practices—</text><subparagraph id="HFACC520435FB478192DF0D3520AF3BC2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for preventing suicide and improving mental health and resiliency among direct care professionals; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAFC5656A945F489185BED2B46C75CB4A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for training direct care professionals in appropriate strategies to promote their mental health; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H614075796C8E4AF8BFBC5279280ED1C9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>disseminate those best practices to the appropriate committees of Congress.</text></paragraph></section><section id="HA8F9403B77B74BC4991205B120BD3E70"><enum>233.</enum><header>Education and awareness initiative encouraging use of mental health and substance use disorder services by direct care professionals</header><subsection id="H652149E5216D46AABB4CDA12CC4FAF43"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the <quote>Secretary</quote>), in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including medical professional associations, shall establish a national evidence-based or evidence-informed education and awareness initiative—</text><paragraph id="H358D2EB21375485EAE9E926AE2CF8774"><enum>(1)</enum><text>with the goal of preventing suicide, mental health conditions, and substance use disorders of direct care professionals, to—</text><subparagraph id="H0A3D7F78D0234505BB0A7E8264B59ED2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>encourage direct care professionals to seek support and care for their mental health or substance use concerns;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD54D8713A8E14DA6B4C590ABCE752413"><enum>(B)</enum><text>help such professionals identify risk factors associated with suicide and mental health conditions; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H803FD9AA751A421CA147712DD12AA5AD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>help such professionals learn how best to respond to such risk factors; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H2C748895C7F74A71802D2296D6EEEBE0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to address stigma associated with seeking mental health and substance use disorder services.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC793C37BF438406E934055A7CB131F36"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress an update on the activities and outcomes of the initiative under subsection (a), including a description of quantitative and qualitative metrics used to evaluate such activities and outcomes.</text></subsection></section><section id="H79C2D658F67F41EFABC8544A8F09F81A"><enum>234.</enum><header>Direct care professional training grants</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 2041 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1397m">42 U.S.C. 1397m</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HBE3EADDF27904DBA959F53702A359581"><section id="H060B8F29463C49E996CC18DF373FE175"><enum>2041.</enum><header>Direct care professional training grants</header><subsection id="H6EE15A23EA524C34ADC6ADE3E6686781"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><paragraph id="HE300FA6A523E4D0CBB303957C933838F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State entitlement</header><subparagraph id="HDE40A7F6B9004A47A6871AC76788B262"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each State shall be entitled to receive from the Secretary for each fiscal year specified in subsection (e) a grant in an amount equal to the amount allotted to the State under subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H79FDE3A8C0AE4BA5BC3C9CA7EB31732A"><enum>(B)</enum><header>State allotments</header><clause id="H3FBA93DBE24F4B7986A34D8489E1703E"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) the amount allotted to a State under this subparagraph for a fiscal year shall be equal to the product of—</text><subclause id="H6E88901FFE4D419486A651F93D4D5F07"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the available amount for the fiscal year; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HFEA7077E9AAD42C9B709DE67C22AC78E"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the ratio of—</text><item id="H3CA10858A00844AEBE11BF9DB564ED82"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>the number of State residents who have attained 60 years of age or are under a disability (as defined in section 216(i)(1)), as determined by the Secretary using the most recent version of the American Community Survey published by the Bureau of the Census or a successor data set; divided by</text></item><item id="H44E15B6E65114C79ACE5C642042C2F76"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the total number of such residents of all States.</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="HE9DFD81E78FD4F96B66EB3E33EDE3305"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The amount allotted to a State under this subparagraph for a fiscal year shall be not less than 0.25 percent of the available amount for the fiscal year.</text></clause><clause id="H312D38A18F944686BC47448D9C81ECF5"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Adjustment of state allotments</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), the Secretary shall proportionately increase or decrease the amounts allotted under this subparagraph for a fiscal year as necessary to ensure that the available amount for the fiscal year is allotted among the States.</text></clause><clause id="H380FEAB525FE45F58149FE73B4F0DB16"><enum>(iv)</enum><header>Redeterminations</header><subclause id="H2B6FD415AF77404E943D284F3D76C183"><enum>(I)</enum><header>Frequency</header><text>The Secretary shall make the determination referred to in clause (i)(II)(aa) every 5 years.</text></subclause><subclause id="HC756133C7A30484E977FF5A31FCA3286"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), the amount allotted to a State under this subparagraph, on the basis of such a determination, for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2029 shall be—</text><item id="HFFE912A9CEEB43EAB7B8B77420492272"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>not less than 90 percent of the amount of the grant made to the State under this subparagraph for the preceding fiscal year; and</text></item><item id="H1D3AE35194CB4546B5FB6FE97D11E823"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>not more than 110 percent of the amount referred to in item (aa).</text></item></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA5533DD915E74E458250F1FC131FBECD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Grants to indian tribes and tribal organizations</header><subparagraph id="HF50B2F282B804BD9A9B6A636C8AAF752"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall make grants in accordance with this section to Indian tribes and tribal organizations who operate at least 1 eligible setting.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H509789144E2F4B7890CC4C082B83B964"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Grant formula</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall devise a formula for distributing among Indian tribes and tribal organizations the amount required to be reserved by subsection (e) for each fiscal year.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0D5F8D0962E84F0E930E05051186A731"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Sub-grants</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which an amount is paid under this section may use the amount to make sub-grants to local organizations, including community organizations, local non-profits, elder rights and justice groups, and workforce development boards for any purpose described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6B0F3A1CA13E4B649D608241ACAD1871"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><paragraph id="H092E07BFAD0E45E69EC97E796E4B7B7F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Required uses</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which an amount is paid under this section shall use the amount to—</text><subparagraph id="HB2156867321448549C53E46E6832667C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide wage subsidies to eligible individuals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD468838CAAB94BF890EA2DE5360C91A5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide student loan repayment or tuition assistance to eligible individuals for a degree or certification in a field relevant to their position referred to in subsection (f)(2)(A);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H648BCAB6D1084B89A8D6C06156D8FC30"><enum>(C)</enum><text>guarantee affordable and accessible child care for eligible individuals, including help with referrals, co-pays, or other direct assistance; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3E47E183425C41C28B60D69C310F6E49"><enum>(D)</enum><text>provide assistance where necessary with obtaining appropriate transportation, including public transportation if available, or gas money if public transportation is unavailable or impractical based on work hours or location.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF03AC7EF9D08499D97B1421B4686E311"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authorized uses</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which an amount is paid under this section may use the amount to—</text><subparagraph id="H5874F4CC6B194000A57D84768A79C87E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>establish a reserve fund for financial assistance to eligible individuals in emergency situations;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF615141E478B4D8FB75E007CEEC50BBA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide in-kind resource donations, such as interview clothing and conference attendance fees;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H936185507A6448219E9379B3CFFDADA9"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provide assistance with programs and activities, including legal assistance, deemed necessary to address arrest or conviction records that are an employment barrier;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDAD69A09A81C43DEBD0A7924A42EC39C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>support employers operating an eligible setting in the State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization in providing employees with not less than 2 weeks of paid leave per year; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA8922CFCA186433BB2A71D0E0A256F87"><enum>(E)</enum><text>provide other support services the Secretary deems necessary to allow for successful recruitment and retention of workers.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFE6615D652DF41DDA208CA3728860E73"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Provision of funds only for the benefit of eligible individuals in eligible settings</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which an amount is paid under this section may provide the amount to only an eligible individual or a partner organization serving an eligible individual.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H86AEA2F500E343FEAE9C65289AD70A43"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Nonsupplantation</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which an amount is paid under this section shall not use the amount to supplant the expenditure of any State or tribal funds for recruiting or retaining employees in an eligible setting.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H93F32A7DF85447AA99BB0D91E47898AA"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Obligation deadline</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization shall remit to the Secretary for reallotment under this section any amount paid under this section for a fiscal year that is not obligated within 2 years after the end of the fiscal year.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HABBC7183885D478B9530E6D2675C86FB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Administration</header><text>A State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which a grant is made under this section shall reserve not more than 10 percent of the grant to—</text><paragraph id="H4DB86682F09B4442A53CB514FDB43124"><enum>(1)</enum><text>administer subgrants in accordance with this section;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HED2D5E2CDB2B4484A7B96AC481CCD11D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide technical assistance and support for applying for and accessing such a subgrant opportunity;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBC98306073274D408DC3A13F1E5AAA26"><enum>(3)</enum><text>publicize the availability of the subgrants;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0B0C293327B0441DB828CCD49381CA1D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>carry out activities to increase the supply of eligible individuals; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2A3E68BEFD1B40BDB10B9C8F3AF918E5"><enum>(5)</enum><text>provide technical assistance to help subgrantees find and train individuals to provide the services for which they are contracted.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCE478FE323ED49D88B7C128841547102"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header><paragraph id="H78F706C1CAA140E988839EE543107339"><enum>(1)</enum><header>State reports</header><text>Not less frequently than annually, each State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which a grant has been made under this section shall transmit to the Secretary a written report describing the activities undertaken by the State pursuant to this section during the period covered by the report, which shall include—</text><subparagraph id="H825069FA86484385944DA037F611FF8F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the total amount expended in the State for each type of use described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H69DFE77A246844DCBCB1406B01AC008D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the total number of non-State organizations in the State to which grant funds were provided, and the amount so provided to each such organization;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4D50B3DBF2A242348E9F2892CA3E58DB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the change in the number of individuals working in each job category described in subsection (f)(2)(A) in an eligible setting in the State;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFCAF1D33C10B494287E6E3D2E02CF066"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the average duration of employment for each such job category;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1EC5D2442A5F4B7686EE89433B509246"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the average annual wage of workers in each job category described in subsection (f)(2)(A) in an eligible setting in the State;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0FFD730DEBDD4F1288CED9757FFE408C"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the average amount of paid time off to which a worker in each job category described in subsection (f)(2)(A) in an eligible setting in the State is entitled by their contract; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H73E4349E1EBB4A3BB97BEA81C7DDC6CA"><enum>(G)</enum><text>such other data elements as the Secretary deems relevant.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4CBF1E5313094625A52CE848FF348639"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives a written report outlining how the grant recipients have used the grants made under this section during the period covered by the report, which shall include—</text><subparagraph id="H534ED1B576CC4EC4A52B539D16BB8AD6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the total amount expended by each State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization for each type of use described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCF662ECDE29142BAA8292EDB619B5143"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the total number of non-State or non-tribal organizations in each State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization to which grant funds were provided, and the amount so provided to each such non-State or non-tribal organization;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE18F99BF756340A7B853C76C2BD24792"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the change in the number of individuals working in each job category described in subsection (f)(2)(A) in an eligible setting;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H30AE31223BB74E9AAFE67A4A155D51E2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the average duration of employment for each such job category, by State, Indian tribe, or tribal organization;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA8CCF3F8EA1046229C7CB0711051596D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the average annual wage of workers in each job category described in subsection (f)(2)(A) in an eligible setting;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H16E2A0D33FE74732830596F6189888AB"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the average amount of paid time off to which a worker in each job category described in subsection (f)(2)(A) in an eligible setting is entitled by their contract; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA87A33F28BEF4163B6A1058390CB26E4"><enum>(G)</enum><text>such other data elements as the Secretary deems relevant.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H33313985E8234AB7B7B47A1A9050B6B7"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Appropriation</header><text>Out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, there is appropriated to the Secretary $400,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out this section, of which 2 percent shall be reserved for grants to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.</text></subsection><subsection id="HF43BE3C9B5E24677A2AFC3B403264EA3"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H09971877698343ABB2F648D248655B2F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Available amount</header><text>The term <term>available amount</term> means, with respect to a fiscal year, the amount specified in subsection (e) that remains after the reservation required by such subsection for the fiscal year, plus all amounts remitted to the Secretary under subsection (b)(5) that have not been reallotted under subsection (a)(1)(B)(iii).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4630A669D7714E89A55384C82E3A1CB0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligible individual</header><text>The term <term>eligible individual</term> means an individual who—</text><subparagraph id="H14D5FE44181F4C809B7C77ED18C30BE5"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H8231DB6D06A14329AEB74148A88572B7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is a qualified home health aide, as defined in section 484.80(a) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations;</text></clause><clause id="H959236EA230B46869752A36C811DD432" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is a nurse aide approved by the State as meeting the requirements of sections 483.150 through 483.154 of such title, and is listed in good standing on the State nurse aide registry;</text></clause><clause id="HB2356BDD39F04D3BADEF8F849A38A7B2" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>is a personal care aide approved by the State, and furnishes personal care services, as defined in section 440.167 of such title;</text></clause><clause id="H0BE47AF2F0EF432C835267B38096FEA7" indent="up1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>is a qualified hospice aide, as defined in section 418.76 of such title;</text></clause><clause id="HB152A44A13C847C4ABC51EA6FB4E5055" indent="up1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>is a licensed practical nurse or a licensed or certified social worker;</text></clause><clause id="H399E7B6FC9814C3A9242B1CC90913F79" indent="up1"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>is receiving training to be certified or licensed as such an aide, nurse, or social worker; or</text></clause><clause id="H71E5D926DBEB4F418F9CE5C7B3226CAB" indent="up1"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>is any other direct care professional; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCF6D66C097F94E5A84E55A877DDB034E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provides (or, in the case of a trainee, intends to provide) services as such an aide, nurse, or social worker in an eligible setting.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF639DEF42982433782B983DF04B429C1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Eligible setting</header><text>The term <term>eligible setting</term> means—</text><subparagraph id="HE5694152A7B04AEC969630A18F8EBB2D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a skilled nursing facility, as defined in section 1819;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H34694F72A9824EDF8903587D63A68F7F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a nursing facility, as defined in section 1919;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9FEE023DA5544CECB9590A70E286B1E6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>a home health agency, as defined in section 1891;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCAA5D91B036C45E5A54A5F31063131BF"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a setting approved to deliver home or community-based services authorized under State options described in subsection (c) or (i) of section 1915 or, as relevant, demonstration projects authorized under section 1115;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB48CEA92027149D59996233676B42FF9"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a hospice, as defined in section 1814;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCEA49ECBED334D1699808912059CF1EA"><enum>(F)</enum><text>another long-term care setting; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF760BF595F0041199E2100EE2091493E"><enum>(G)</enum><text>a tribal assisted living facility.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9E533410C0D24265BDE3BD7E3FDE10EB"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Tribal organization</header><text>The term <term>tribal organization</term> has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></section><section id="H6594C8E67CB24A118B288F35C1D15ADB"><enum>235.</enum><header>Credit for certain health care professionals</header><subsection id="HDAB8B9E38E4A4B0886D133A973EB4E73"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/26/1">chapter 1</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 36 the following new section:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9E421402DB124644839764839F142264"><section id="H22477A755B604CFEA829158CA822260C"><enum>36A.</enum><header>Credit for certain health care professionals</header><subsection id="H8716D49A98894772A4DBD9EDFB7D146A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Allowance of credit</header><text>In the case of an individual who is a health care professional described in subsection (b) with respect to the taxable year, there shall be allowed a credit of $5,000 against the tax imposed by this subtitle for such taxable year.</text></subsection><subsection id="H5FA57BBF17EC4B13B4D7F996E7D14D9F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Health care professionals described</header><text>A health care professional described in this subsection, with respect to any taxable year, is any individual who, at any time during such taxable year, is—</text><paragraph id="H5F440D3366CA47AB9025C46E36FF4294"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a practitioner, as defined in section 1842(b)(18)(C) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1395u">42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(18)(C)</external-xref>), providing services for compensation as such practitioner in a long-term care setting,</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H33FDEFAB72004BFAAAC72D50F7338AE0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a certified nursing assistant providing services for compensation as such assistant in a long-term care setting,</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1B2C18CCA92F4542B99B58094DFFFBC8"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a licensed practical nurse, or registered professional nurse, providing services for compensation as such a nurse in a long-term care setting,</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA4798532662E4471A3BCF3A273FC2CD4"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a home health aide providing services for compensation as such aide in a long-term care setting,</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCB83DCDC65264D22997B34FF1600060E"><enum>(5)</enum><text>a personal or home care aide providing services for compensation as such aide in a long-term care setting, or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HABE1D120678B4FFA9249B75934AE2541"><enum>(6)</enum><text>a direct care professional, who is not otherwise described in any of paragraphs (1) through (5), providing services for compensation as such professional in a long-term care setting.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1C2849197C324851A714A2E879E8929B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For purposes of this section, the terms <term>direct care professional</term>, <term>long-term care setting</term>, and <term>personal or home care aide</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act.</text></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="HB71E0C545D1945ABBC952A18BED4CABE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming amendments</header><paragraph id="HAF8295FB062E4E54B4B43CEE664CFAB9"><enum>(1)</enum><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/6211">Section 6211(b)(4)(A)</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting <quote>, 36A</quote> after <quote>36</quote>.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H41270DB08E6F4CB9926E0DBDF3CE5DD1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The table of section for subpart C of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 such Code is amended by amending by inserting after the item relating to section 36 the following new item:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" id="H6087C938F6834E2C8876EABA8955F516"><toc><toc-entry level="section" idref="H22477A755B604CFEA829158CA822260C">Sec. 36A. Credit for certain health care professionals.</toc-entry></toc><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H542F22948A9340188E53CB7A576761B4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2023. </text></subsection></section><section id="H8901CBDB6BEF4E629D941C1DAD3375DD"><enum>236.</enum><header>Direct Care Professional Workforce Equity Technical Assistance Center</header><subsection id="HD7CB947A6728444F9924A0523C404A11"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the <quote>Secretary</quote>), in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the heads of other entities as necessary, shall establish a national technical assistance center to—</text><paragraph id="H9E233E2EBB3C42BC8C15C50A5624EEF7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>address inequities and disparities facing the direct care professional workforce; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4367E8E4897744DE8849D41AC48BAC1E"><enum>(2)</enum><text>ensure that long-term care settings are meeting the unique demographic, cultural, and linguistic needs of the community in which such settings are situated and the community of workers within such settings.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H621C6E59BA924D529E6B89029311FC69"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Activities</header><text>The Center may—</text><paragraph id="HF8E286B49C4F4AF4B0D963FD6AB06539"><enum>(1)</enum><text>maintain a centralized online hub of equity-focused direct care professional workforce resources;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB7A07C2078D345FE9CE7F1F044CAA738"><enum>(2)</enum><text>conduct studies and develop trainings and resources on the inequities facing direct care professionals and enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility among long-term care settings;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H82DD2D8231044D8F8345A914CF8F4288"><enum>(3)</enum><text>develop equity-specific tools and resources to support State and local governments in building an equitable direct care professional workforce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFB2C946B56CE4652BDD4E7AF0A37B96C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>design and inform interventions in the direct care professional workforce that reduce disparities and promote equity within the direct care professional workforce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H98CE51284E9F48A2ADA999BFFF960E01"><enum>(5)</enum><text>convene experts in the direct care professional workforce, including direct care professionals, to develop equity-based resources; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF20C3FBE5DB34C8A9CD4FE6C27F6AAEE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>collaborate with organizations representing people with disabilities, older individuals, people of color, women, immigrants, and LGBT communities, and others as determined by the Secretary.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H03D9A136586B408ABF43F113E8EC1925"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall provide to the appropriate committees of Congress an update on the activities and outcomes of the initiative under subsection (a)</text></subsection><subsection id="HBDD4BE8C65F542849EF9B53252E17D0B" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section></subtitle><enum>III</enum><header>Workforce labor protections</header><subtitle id="H371B19CB56FB4A349991048378766D7A"><enum>A</enum><header>Long-term Care Workforce Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act</header><section id="H2183AB2FE8C04B65B1D8D6013C66B1C0"><enum>301.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle:</text><paragraph id="H2DA0F60498E64E209AC2E41B8307AC71"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administrator</header><text>The term the <term>Administrator</term> means the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBEB6C06AF1644B3E9B66EA96E2370B44"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Community partner</header><text>The term <term>community partner</term> means any stakeholder with a commitment to enforcing wage and hour laws and preventing abuses of such laws, including any—</text><subparagraph id="HE06A7ED81C36434187FBB35E954B83DB"><enum>(A)</enum><text>State department of labor;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4BFECE81DADF448A97861D35010085C2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>attorney general of a State or other similar authorized official of a political subdivision thereof;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB0BFADE63CE541CE96B324A3445C5E44"><enum>(C)</enum><text>law enforcement agency;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAF931C23E2E645539F811F2694B5BA58"><enum>(D)</enum><text>consulate;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H838F2A7ACDAA4443A11811BB2EE9B599"><enum>(E)</enum><text>employee or advocate of employees, including a labor organization, community- and faith-based organization, business association, disability organization, older individual organization, or nonprofit legal aid organization;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA48CB43B0D5E4F36BE707D8DEF188B18"><enum>(F)</enum><text>academic institution that plans, coordinates, and implements programs and activities to prevent wage and hour violations and recover unpaid wages, damages, and penalties; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HECB7F5A036224162BE7C18DA4D0957ED"><enum>(G)</enum><text>any municipal agency responsible for the enforcement of local wage and hour laws.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0A136B1883C547B3A0C3DC66666CDF87"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Community partnership</header><text>The term <term>community partnership</term> means a partnership between—</text><subparagraph id="H2EE9D5DD2B074370925B9C7F5810FF9B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a working group consisting of community partners; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H00D7B9CC88E44BFB8CF0B724BF641E81"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Department of Labor.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9A9D5E3C278742BF80AF96AAFF616AB7"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Covered employee</header><text>The term <term>covered employee</term> means a direct care professional working in a long-term care setting. </text></paragraph><paragraph id="H30C4BB1A3A6A491CB91EF1D046681258"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Covered employer</header><text>The term <term>covered employer</term> means an employer who employs covered employees to work in or provide services in a long-term care setting. </text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB2232E21E951435CB5079BA9917E03E6"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Eligible entity</header><text>The term <term>eligible entity</term> means an entity that is any of the following:</text><subparagraph id="H496A8EB6FE284C47AFACE7377D6AC509"><enum>(A)</enum><text>A nonprofit organization, including such an organization that is a community-based organization, faith-based organization, disability organization, older individuals organization, or labor organization, that provides services and support to employees, including assisting such employees in recovering unpaid wages.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB83BEEB196FD42EA8F3853B0B3B5C231"><enum>(B)</enum><text>An employer.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2964D4EC740F4D658F9E9F49B362824A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>A business association.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDB7E67892D464C3B80B6340A6BA3716D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>An institution of higher education, as defined by section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/20/1001">20 U.S.C. 1001</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8627DB4E91D8467B8E57636B74D98305"><enum>(E)</enum><text>A partnership between any of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9ED0C4C5D9F64447B8C89BBB60D72211"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Labor.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB2126828EC6446349BCE8B98C1DE5190"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Strategic enforcement</header><text>The term <term>strategic enforcement</term> means the process by which the Secretary—</text><subparagraph id="H86BC68E58D944FFDA889B1F1A56E7EA3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>targets highly noncompliant industries, as identified by the Secretary, using industry-specific structures to influence, and ultimately reform, networks of interconnected employers;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE2628E4DAF8C49719C23982D39E48571"><enum>(B)</enum><text>analyzes regulatory regimes under which specific industries operate; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1F0BE1B18F444B2696AA10FFCE240C8A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>modifies the enforcement approach of such regulatory regimes in order to ensure the greatest impact.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8BDEB6C7A9F147D393E7A4D4B46CFCE4"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Wage and hour law</header><text>The term <term>wage and hour law</term> means any Federal law enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor, including any provision of this Act enforced by such division.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6C6D84172125437FA09CB911FD50EB8D"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Wage and hour violation</header><text>The term <term>wage and hour violation</term> refers to any violation of a Federal law enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor, including any provision of this Act enforced by such division.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H341A39EC0E95476594BBECBD07346CAC"><enum>302.</enum><header>Direct care professional workforce wage theft prevention and wage recovery grant program</header><subsection id="HE60E3C75B2614962BC359BC77BB84296"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Administrator, shall provide grants to eligible entities to assist such entities in enhancing the enforcement of wage and hour laws, in accordance with this section and consistent with the purposes of this Act.</text></subsection><subsection id="HC9437AC7D19147F984456932A424CA03"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Grants</header><text>A grant provided under this section shall be designed to—</text><paragraph id="H5B8CEA189C3A45759580776DC4C6005C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>support an eligible entity in establishing and supporting the activities described in subsection (c)(1); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB52E23AC8CA5463088EF7FCB4712FE13"><enum>(2)</enum><text>develop community partnerships to expand and improve cooperative efforts between enforcement agencies and members of the community to—</text><subparagraph id="H729A32A6C06F4448B511CFEA79418EB0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>prevent and reduce wage and hour violations; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAE9C9860D4624DF1A6D241857F18F140"><enum>(B)</enum><text>assist covered employees in recovering back pay for any such violations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCD4105DE656F4834B5BE171118047691"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of funds</header><paragraph id="HD126AC430C244D50832527C9F828B885"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Permissible activities</header><text>The grants described in this section shall assist eligible entities in establishing and supporting activities that include—</text><subparagraph id="H744289F5745548F49804FD6DF275657B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>disseminating information and conducting outreach and training to educate covered employees about their rights under wage and hour laws;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H44F00910EE9F4921823247B91E410532"><enum>(B)</enum><text>conducting educational training for covered employers about their obligations under wage and hour laws;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF0D4050AC71D4817809FB4154C5D1224"><enum>(C)</enum><text>conducting orientations and trainings jointly with officials of the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H09CF5BFC7157461EA447BC800913B8FB"><enum>(D)</enum><text>providing assistance to covered employees in filing claims of wage and hour violations;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB4CB213B76504096BB2001339AEDCCC7"><enum>(E)</enum><text>assisting enforcement agencies in conducting investigations, including in the collection of evidence and recovering back pay;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0F427A6E33364CF59E5205ECB4266DBB"><enum>(F)</enum><text>monitoring compliance with wage and hour laws;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCB30601EEAA54A72AC1FF7A0DA5CF903"><enum>(G)</enum><text>performing joint visitations to worksites that violate wage and hour laws with officials from the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H81B31D1F2E0545B4B179FE09AD405E32"><enum>(H)</enum><text>establishing networks for education, communication, and participation in the workplace and community;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAD111FBA2F6043FA8EFE36585C84CC53"><enum>(I)</enum><text>evaluating the effectiveness of programs designed to prevent wage and hour violations and enforce wage and hour laws;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HED68E2E5CE1B4E1AA8FCEB4433C8360C"><enum>(J)</enum><text>recruiting and hiring of staff and volunteers;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA37BC177AF564A1091C01B41C2E31909"><enum>(K)</enum><text>production and dissemination of outreach and training materials;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF22F1B78D8014689B77285E5CC4E045F"><enum>(L)</enum><text>creation of a phone, short message service, web, or other technology-based communication for reporting covered employee emergencies, wage theft, or labor violations, seeking emergency services, or seeking support or guidance in lieu of emergency services; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAA7E586D2AC14916A239578750EF597B"><enum>(M)</enum><text>any other activities as the Secretary may reasonably prescribe through notice and comment rulemaking.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H21E76FD0D5ED4FCC8D4C1D2057D5A6DD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prohibited activities</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an eligible entity receiving a grant under this section may not use the grant funds for any purpose reasonably prohibited by the Secretary through notice and comment rulemaking.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H611EF5E7AED5402690C8639775F75EF2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Term of grants</header><text>Each grant made under this section shall be available for expenditure for a period that is not to exceed 3 years.</text></subsection><subsection id="HF9F3C55D9FC84CF6B3E53BFE0E36D4AC"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Applications</header><paragraph id="H63A36C4376A24EA5874192CF9741B609"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application for such grant to the Secretary in accordance with this subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA71A3E77DD104338B10C3A74DBAB0A91"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Partnerships</header><text>In the case of an eligible entity that is a partnership described in section 301(4)(E), the eligible entity may submit a joint application that designates a single entity as the lead entity for purposes of receiving and disbursing funds.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1C3F9AC47D664D9D8D16188E829F4EFD"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Contents</header><text>An application under this subsection shall include—</text><subparagraph id="H93A02A7BE0134CBEBB16CD9F640E22E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a description of a plan for the program that the eligible entity proposes to carry out with a grant under this section, including a long-term strategy and detailed implementation plan that reflects expected participation of, and partnership with, community partners;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA42C639DDCD8442DADF887F3150EB6C2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>information on the prevalence of wage and hour violations in each community or State of the eligible entity;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE5496DD5375046F39FA0B7208B882A1C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>information on any industry or geographic area targeted by the plan for such program;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H48DF36B1968B478C8FE65A95E5F7173D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>information on the type of outreach and relationship building that will be conducted under such program;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5B267A34B5384C9D874F14D711D20472"><enum>(E)</enum><text>information on the training and education that will be provided to covered employees and covered employers under such program; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H218DA379AC9743B9B1AA009545C89A53"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the method by which the eligible entity will measure results of such program.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF014A9E7DEE54DBFAA3B6656C85786EA"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Selection</header><paragraph id="H317BB1CB9BA4454C9ACA926C33E7D60A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Competitive basis</header><text>In accordance with this subsection, the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, select grant recipients from among eligible entities that have submitted an application under subsection (e).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H98C67BF3196A4D7D83E0B564AA6C4BBB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Priority</header><text>In selecting grant recipients under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—</text><subparagraph id="HE4CC61E886DF480C9A3B32A11FD8D41C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>serve covered employees in the long-term care industry or geographic area that is most highly at risk for noncompliance with wage and hour violations, as identified by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9601DB1F3DC9440F9F037DB0D7289538"><enum>(B)</enum><text>demonstrate past and ongoing work to prevent wage and hour violations or to recover unpaid wages.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HDF68757EBF6246CF89350436C06175C0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Other considerations</header><text>In selecting grant recipients under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall also consider—</text><subparagraph id="H4EB5B759387E489B921EFF668B4357A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the prevalence of ongoing community support for each eligible entity, including financial and other contributions; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H43B057C0CB034893ABF2DC7408D81455"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the eligible entity’s past and ongoing partnerships with other organizations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H7A551D0F7AE849A788BD2D40C9AA412A"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Memoranda of understanding</header><paragraph id="H450B27A8B47843BFBACE94A720482295"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 60 days after receiving a grant under this section, the grant recipient shall negotiate and finalize with the Secretary a memorandum of understanding that sets forth specific goals, objectives, strategies, and activities that will be carried out under the grant by such recipient through a community partnership.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF2E457F8002C4874B5818DF380F9995B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Signatures</header><text>A representative of the grant recipient (or, in the case of a grant recipient that is an eligible entity described in section 301(4)(E), a representative of each entity that composes the grant recipient) and the Secretary shall sign the memorandum of understanding under this subsection.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6007E50877BD46FAB28CE8E614A3A35C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Revisions</header><text>The memorandum of understanding under this subsection shall be reviewed and revised by the grant recipient and the Secretary each year of the duration of the grant.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8646B07EAA7B4A699ABFD9ADA9FE5AEC"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Performance evaluations</header><paragraph id="H4F3A752D3BD6440582FB6658D4D392DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each grant recipient under this section shall develop procedures for reporting, monitoring, measuring, and evaluating the activities of each program or project funded under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA802C03965374D63875F4F3055817B65"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Guidelines</header><text>The procedures required under paragraph (1) shall be in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HBEBD1CF30C334B688C6C17CE207E1DF8"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Revocation or suspension of funding</header><text>If the Secretary determines that a recipient of a grant under this section is not in compliance with the terms and requirements of the memorandum of understanding under subsection (g), the Secretary may revoke or suspend (in whole or in part) the funding of the grant.</text></subsection><subsection id="H013B2D03F97247F19788AD6A35DA0215"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Use of components</header><paragraph id="H4A21879D7EF1483DBDEB70C17F73164E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In addition to the Wage and Hour Division, the Secretary (acting through the Administrator) may use any division or agency of the Department of Labor in carrying out this subtitle.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8925C2ABCD244A0ABD18DDF4B421A5B2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consultation with HHS</header><text>The Secretary may consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (acting through the Administrator for Community Living) to carry out this subtitle.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9ECAEB6508F04A059B8841D2D3D7DE18"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this section on the occurrence of wage and hour violations through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience with evaluation of labor regulations and long-term care services.</text></subsection><subsection id="HBCAC312A1B2144A1BC01ED02FACA87F5"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029, to remain available until expended.</text></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H4B3CC3E69F744D08848045C19D3713A2"><enum>B</enum><header>Direct care professional rights</header><section id="HCEA905C54A14482BB794B599F183D31E"><enum>311.</enum><header>Definitions</header><subsection id="H695D90AD2A9443EFB64E2144BF10BD01"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Fair labor standards act definitions</header><text>In this subtitle—</text><paragraph id="H5DB66FB7B7D7445B9C2D84CCD82737C8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the terms <term>enterprise</term>, <term>enterprise engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce</term>, and <term>person</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/203">29 U.S.C. 203</external-xref>); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD45197F931EE4E31A95508947D707A40"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term <term>regular rate</term> has the meaning given such term in section 7(e) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/207">29 U.S.C. 207(e)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4EC47D202C7B4854B318F7E48BE4F6C9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Other definitions</header><text>In this subtitle:</text><paragraph id="H474C8D1A47A240B0BA1265F2EC8EF1BA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Child</header><text>The term <term>child</term>—</text><subparagraph id="H3C40E4B9EB2E4A6AB5BB7A29313A8760"><enum>(A)</enum><text>means an individual who is under 18 years of age; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF2D08CAC1E964BF7B64C9F2738F8B8AA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>includes an individual described in subparagraph (A) who is—</text><clause id="H16B89DABD5604E45B8E2FF69D67C956D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a biological, foster, or adopted child;</text></clause><clause id="HA0DDD1CE23D24A159612E996D61CBB38"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a stepchild;</text></clause><clause id="H683FDE395D8E45649068BFBF19E43025"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a child of a domestic partner;</text></clause><clause id="H9A6A83394ECC429692FE72AAF69DA37B"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>a legal ward; or</text></clause><clause id="HB3652B17C71E4B60A085376FB6691279"><enum>(v)</enum><text>a child of a person standing in loco parentis.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H08CA6D0C1F3F4D8F8DD0C3A19ED3AA9C" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered entity</header><text>The term <term>covered entity</term>—</text><subparagraph id="H197759A9F89445CB9AFF00E7B9AC788F" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>means any person or agency who provides compensation directly or indirectly to a direct care professional for the performance of long-term care services; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H53F321F93C5D4B08ABCCCEA241DD0DA4" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>includes—</text><clause id="HFABF562F3D3946D996D26363C6E7CB1E" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of the entity in relation to a direct care professional;</text></clause><clause id="H1E7689C0B4DA4BD6BBB39D2F85CC6C9E" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an employer of a direct care professional; and</text></clause><clause id="H0DBF56CC4A3C413686CD57D4503A1F60" commented="no"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an agency that contracts with an agency to provide direct care professionals.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H147244628D564648B8CBFD613E379AB2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Medicaid HCBS-eligible older individual</header><text>The term <term>Medicaid HCBS-eligible older individual</term> means an individual who—</text><subparagraph id="H54F93E6312CC452ABB1EE4D571E1ECE3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is 60 years of age or older; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC69E8DCCEA0C4FA5BFE0AD9A151BBC37"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is eligible for and enrolled for medical assistance for any of the following services (whether provided on a fee-for-service, risk, or other basis) under a State Medicaid program, and includes an individual who becomes eligible for medical assistance under a State Medicaid program when removed from a waiting list:</text><clause id="H2E0D3B6FC9084041A886FC918A3C7232"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Home health care services authorized under paragraph (7) of section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396d">42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="H1EC8B354F8384AA080A93A4C60F887DA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Personal care services authorized under paragraph (24) of such section.</text></clause><clause id="H4604CBD46B064088A197AE70DB6D6AF1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>PACE services authorized under paragraph (26) of such section.</text></clause><clause id="H32139AB9A3754B378B67729B5CB705F5"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Home and community-based services authorized under subsections (b), (c), (i), (j), and (k) of section 1915 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396n">42 U.S.C. 1396n</external-xref>), such services authorized under a waiver under section 1115 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1315">42 U.S.C. 1315</external-xref>), and such services provided through coverage authorized under section 1937 of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396u-7">42 U.S.C. 1396u–7</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="HE3CC59A141714845B84D43B374B37753"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Case management services authorized under section 1905(a)(19) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396d">42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(19)</external-xref>) and section 1915(g) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396n">42 U.S.C. 1396n(g)</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="HDE449EC8942F4BAEB91D4A41A55F0C3F"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Rehabilitative services, including those related to behavioral health, described in section 1905(a)(13) of such Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1396d">42 U.S.C. 1396d(a)(13)</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="H47D037245F074211A9AF86DF9C00635D"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Such other services specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H53032D56EF214746A4E0891440621331"><enum>(4)</enum><header>On-call shift</header><text>The term <term>on-call shift</term> means any time a covered entity expects a direct care professional to—</text><subparagraph id="H2C3B56CE91F54F6EADD928DF93EFFE64"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be available to work; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4BED9A0B409E42B5867B44DBFC048147"><enum>(B)</enum><text>wait to contact, or be contacted by, the covered entity, or a designee of the entity, to determine whether the direct care professional shall report to work during such time.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H99A5CF96A715405D8AFEA3E9104C7F44"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Parent</header><text>The term <term>parent</term>, with respect to a direct care professional, means—</text><subparagraph id="H4B0AE2F1D7D54AC2903A4CE43A80B7C2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a biological, foster, or adoptive parent of a direct care professional;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H00F4C57737AF4DB0A3602C986F334097"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a stepparent of a direct care professional;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H68B43AF837CA4A6A9851F6711BA7253A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>parent-in-law of a direct care professional;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3713121E6D7D4DB196D9FF0C4DD72B6C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>parent of a domestic partner of a direct care professional; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H496D984700644EFD8E79A82D3DDB1580"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a legal guardian or other person who stood in loco parentis to the direct care professional when the worker was a child. </text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HAD6A4B4B4188457F8994B2F588DAED98" commented="no"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Labor.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H4A600ED701B649C2A8C9EA465D6655C7" commented="no"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Shared living arrangement</header><text>The term <term>shared living arrangement</term> means a living arrangement involving—</text><subparagraph id="H17B6711DC08047EA8A9671A6FCB801C7" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not more than 2 individuals who are a person with a disability or a Medicaid HCBS-eligible older individual, except if 1 or more of the individuals are related to each other (by blood or a close association that is equivalent to a family relationship);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H53126ACAB2D940A6AD92792BB0EE6A01" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an individual providing services for compensation and living in the private home of the recipient of such services;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF49E944277C34B25B20DDCA5D78D2715" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><text>an individual receiving funding through a State Medicaid program or another publicly funded program;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H08E81FA2658343B5AC0E5938E5D2C876" commented="no"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a stipend or room and board as the primary form of payment for the individual providing such services; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2FC10E3193584916BC0432FB4C74FB0A" commented="no"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the individual receiving such services having the final decision regarding who is the provider of such services living with the individual, through a consumer-driven matching process that includes relationship building, person-centered planning as defined by the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and an assessment of individual compatibility.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4705E30A2CCD48FCA4E88F0BF41F9AA5"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Spouse</header><text>The term <term>spouse</term> has the meaning given such term by the marriage laws of the State in which the marriage was celebrated.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H4609C030E2EA472CB63C5169CC90FE7F"><enum>312.</enum><header>Written agreements</header><subsection id="H2BE035BBAA4C42E6A8AE9C04B38107E0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Covered direct care professional</header><text>In this section, the term <term>covered direct care professional</term> means any direct care professional to whom the covered entity expects to provide compensation for the performance of long-term care services by the covered direct care professional for not less than 8 hours per week.</text></subsection><subsection id="H640F1D19872E467A995396A636BAEAD5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirement</header><text>Each covered entity shall provide a written agreement in accordance with this section to each covered direct care professional who is provided compensation, directly or indirectly, by the covered entity for the performance of long-term care services.</text></subsection><subsection id="HAD5D7C9DE4E5452D851322C8AC3E974A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Written agreement requirements</header><paragraph id="HD644C764AF1146C081B553553D47E064"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A written agreement required under this section shall—</text><subparagraph id="HF18B0C1EE4574D809E8A016469D14F3B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be signed and dated by the covered direct care professional and the covered entity;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H29C54752A4554D21AA10C4C306CFE4A3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be written in a language easily and fully understood by the covered direct care professional and the covered entity, which may be in multiple languages if the covered direct care professional and the entity do not easily and fully understand the same language; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD5A99D37555E4CF5926975D3FD4A407B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>include the contents described in subsection (d).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HBF0676D1511D43BDA66B6137DECF9611"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Copy</header><text>A copy of the written agreement required under this section shall be provided to the covered direct care professional not later than 5 calendar days after the date on which the covered direct care professional is hired by the covered entity.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H63AE60E6D1284ACF8CB7B33915E4CC18"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Contents of the written agreement</header><paragraph id="H0C655911B40C40D7909E56F19565D087"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The contents described in this subsection shall include each of the following:</text><subparagraph id="HD8CDCE26C7994A3289A79EB903DF26F8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The full name, address, and contact information of the covered entity, including, as appropriate, any <quote>doing business as</quote> name of the entity and the name of each individual of the entity who will be doing business with the covered direct care professional.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1D83AD440546499E99998B178CE26E1C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The address for the location where the covered direct care professional will be providing long-term care services for the covered entity.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H80CAEA54B35C4CB68C2781E8B606EE28"><enum>(C)</enum><text>All responsibilities to be performed by the covered direct care professional for the covered entity, and the regularity in which such responsibilities are to be performed.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8ADE20B8EDEB414D90AD94B8FF3C1172"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The regular rate of pay of the covered direct care professional for any work week, including any overtime compensation due.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDE095FFE30A2463089C2222C15105ABA"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The day of the week when the covered direct care professional will be paid.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H07E617321FEB49CB99B0085E0C92D858"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The required working hours for any work week, including—</text><clause id="H3AA15BCB81AE44878493F4E71046303A"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the time of day and day of week the work of the covered direct care professional begins;</text></clause><clause id="H6D75CE3F8B914E84BB1ED76FEBE81DBA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>meal and rest breaks described in section 316;</text></clause><clause id="H978A6CAD71C94CE9A30A4B8EC789CF86"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>time off;</text></clause><clause id="H46A93DE2A2C341C691B1DC6262657AD0"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the work schedule of the covered direct care professional at the time of hire, including—</text><subclause id="HE2AE361AF2E744379ABE9F2067B3F57C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the time of day and the days of the week the covered direct care professional will be expected to work each week for the covered entity; or</text></subclause><subclause id="HC2FEA8CABE414740926DD829EE2320CE"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if the time of day or the days of the week that the covered direct care professional will be expected to work for the covered entity will vary from week to week, information regarding a good faith estimate of the days and hours for which the covered direct care professional will be expected to work for the entity each week, including, at minimum—</text><item id="H700366EAE4CB40A5A9E8F66A01C7F80C"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>the average number of hours the covered direct care professional will be expected to work for the entity each week during a typical 90-day period;</text></item><item id="H866DA4F468214B7E88A300D82F778DA2"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>whether the covered direct care professional can expect to work any on-call shifts for the entity;</text></item><item id="HC438044EEA5B4EAEBD0448F4ECE34B81"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>a subset of days the covered direct care professional can typically expect to work (or to be scheduled as off from work) for the entity; and</text></item><item id="HBF6053BADB2F40B08DBE027E96A742EB"><enum>(dd)</enum><text>the amount of notice that the entity will provide to the covered direct care professional in advance of scheduled work hours (as defined in section 313(a)), which shall not be less than 72 hours before such scheduled work hours are to begin (except during a period described in subparagraph (A) of section 313(e)(1), in a case described in subparagraph (B) of such section, or in the case of a shared living arrangement), and the manner in which such notice shall be provided;</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="HF6713BB2289D4597BBC97F9192015667"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the reporting time pay policy described in section 313(c); and</text></clause><clause id="HA428EE596C5F417782F611C0D2094E0D"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the right to request and receive a change to scheduled work hours due to personal events as described in section 314.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD3B492C4123741AD8A2E2AFB713ACA63"><enum>(G)</enum><text>If applicable, any policies of the covered entity with respect to the covered direct care professional for paying for or providing reimbursement for—</text><clause id="H25D4B223EB954362A8167C4FFF68647E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>health insurance;</text></clause><clause id="HC361DCACAAA5495BA55EEB2314259EB1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>transportation, meals, or lodging; and</text></clause><clause id="HCFEB87BDD5AA47DAB97914F9991ADEFE"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any fees or costs associated with the long-term care services provided by the covered direct care professional for the entity.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCE31CC9A23664F9285AA867A6433C11B"><enum>(H)</enum><text>If applicable, any policies of the covered entity with respect to the covered direct care professional for—</text><clause id="HE4B97F7937FD4E44ACB686D438D0A766"><enum>(i)</enum><text>annual or other pay increases;</text></clause><clause id="H66FE31B4900A4099BFA973F295D10D07"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>severance pay; and</text></clause><clause id="H039E46FA2D2249DE96B6A33FC58C974C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>providing materials or equipment related to the performance of long-term care services by the covered direct care professional, including (if applicable) any cleaning supplies provided by the entity.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE7F593DE1493464693F9969D6FBDDFDA"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Information about policies, procedures, and equipment related to safety and emergencies.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5D9EB8BC2D854A318A9F4E6C6FF5AFBD"><enum>(J)</enum><text>The policy of the covered entity pertaining to notice of termination of the covered direct care professional by the entity.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H962B65970CF64924AC6C52D612B5FDFD"><enum>(K)</enum><text>In the case of a covered direct care professional who resides in the household of the person for whom the covered direct care professional provides long-term care services—</text><clause id="H37BA812129B34F638548A2661E236D57"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the circumstances under which the covered entity may enter the designated living space of the covered direct care professional;</text></clause><clause id="H7A3437B1C7A74FA0ABFE912294425855"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the circumstances under which the covered direct care professional, in a shared living arrangement, may enter the designated living space of the covered entity; and</text></clause><clause id="H3534E0CB3B9C4C508054850A9F6FFB3F"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a description of certain circumstances the covered entity determines as cause for—</text><subclause id="HBB18CC31BF724695A724F2044034CC32"><enum>(I)</enum><text>immediate termination of the covered direct care professional; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HD0D46C7996D4464EBA0DBBC395C313B8"><enum>(II)</enum><text>removal of the covered direct care professional from the household of the person for whom the covered direct care professional provides long-term care services not later than 48 hours after notice of the termination.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H98E8E61CC61D4A328EB0321593DFD6F8"><enum>(L)</enum><text>Any additional benefits afforded to the covered direct care professional by the covered entity.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD5A890344E3044E49C8EA05F137F07C5"><enum>(M)</enum><text>The process for the covered direct care professional to raise or address grievances with respect to, or breaches of, the written agreement.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H26649F29D93240A99C11A6AF0C8D335C"><enum>(N)</enum><text>The process used by the covered entity to change any policy described in subparagraphs (A) through (M), including addressing additional compensation if responsibilities are added to those described in subparagraph (C), after the date on which the written agreement is provided to the covered direct care professional.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6546599019C24D8C886E0CC69FBF6766"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Prohibitions</header><text>A written agreement required under this section may not—</text><subparagraph id="HC50CA578195C43C1B8CAC3E0677669EC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>contain—</text><clause id="HB3F9767F9B1A42CBA7349DBA997594C1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreement for claims made by a covered direct care professional against a covered entity regarding the legal rights of the covered direct care professional; or</text></clause><clause id="H958F0A93918F43E58A71F36C020464BF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a non-disclosure agreement, non-compete agreement, or non-disparagement agreement, limiting the ability of the covered direct care professional to seek compensation for performing long-term care services after the covered direct care professional ceases to receive compensation from the covered entity for the performance of long-term care services; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB61A078B85BE47E09929F85078F477FD"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be construed to waive the rights or protections of a covered direct care professional under Federal, State, or local law.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0049413B19864667880ACFBC267B67E6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Timing</header><paragraph id="H27DF157EA787462396BFBEA826531272"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Initial agreement</header><text>A covered entity shall provide a written agreement required under this section—</text><subparagraph id="H5A42A3B8368947ED98878096E1D00A5F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to each covered direct care professional hired after the date of enactment of this Act, prior to the first day the covered direct care professional performs long-term care services for the entity; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBC24556A24894D37909595016DDDFE0A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to each covered direct care professional hired on or prior to the date of enactment of this Act, 90 days after such date of enactment.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4B04F6E65ECA4D18B9FF29DFE718F08D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Subsequent agreements</header><text>Not later than 30 calendar days after the date on which a covered entity makes a change to a written agreement provided to a covered direct care professional under this section, the entity shall provide the covered direct care professional with an updated agreement in accordance with this section.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H8726934D67414848A0BCDCA6594590DC"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Records</header><text>A covered entity that is required to provide a written agreement under this section to a covered direct care professional shall retain such agreement for a period of not less than 3 years from the date on which the covered direct care professional is no longer working for the entity.</text></subsection><subsection id="H71E91BEA33E340859BD379CE5B474198"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Model written agreements</header><paragraph id="H197626867E034E42BBFFD1FDA1D4967E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish and make available templates for model written agreements under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA83F38F643F64087B4D69FE52A014A7A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>A model written agreement required under paragraph (1) shall—</text><subparagraph id="H1F190863D12D4FE6A6384A5AF03BF4D7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be available in multiple languages commonly understood by covered direct care professionals, including all languages in which the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division, translates the basic information fact sheet published by the Administrator; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H969FF0714C1B411D8216FC59B0F61447"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not include any agreement described in subsection (d)(2)(A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H03E0D2C3527F42358F7EA77C9F0BC9CA"><enum>313.</enum><header>Fair scheduling practices</header><subsection id="HA88455A83B844C78B02FD6A0D00456C9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="H52B40C9AB6C34889BA8A0F693B261A10"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered direct care professional</header><text>The term <term>covered direct care professional</term> has the meaning given the term in section 312(a).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6C8A9F0B1644425C9D894BC31FEBF298"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Scheduled work hours</header><text>The term <term>scheduled work hours</term> means the hours on a specified day during which a direct care professional is, through a written agreement or schedule, required by a covered entity to perform long-term care services for the entity and for which the direct care professional will receive compensation for such services.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H58C85B4456DE499689A2E45BF1A2A025"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirement for notice of covered direct care professional</header><text>In the case of a covered direct care professional, the covered entity shall provide the covered direct care professional notice of the scheduled work hours of such covered direct care professional through—</text><paragraph id="H149E088F67E2440693CB3EE3F4E685AA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a written agreement described in subclause (I) of section 312(d)(1)(F)(iv) regarding a schedule of the time of day and the days of the week the covered direct care professional is expected to work for the covered entity each week; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE69174180E6842DEB5B59906FEA4C15C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a schedule agreed upon by the covered entity and the covered direct care professional provided in the amount of time specified in accordance with a written agreement described in subclause (II) of such section, regarding a good faith estimate of the time of day and the days of the week that the covered direct care professional is expected to work for the entity.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HEFCE2B22D50349CC85B2C6AC811F795C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Requirements for changes to scheduled work hours and reporting time pay</header><text>A covered entity shall—</text><paragraph id="H5AD82D59E21143D891AD934F88D75278"><enum>(1)</enum><text>communicate in writing (which may be in an electronic form) any change to the scheduled work hours of a direct care professional, including any on-call shifts, not less than 72 hours before the direct care professional is scheduled to begin work; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6273B78269844376A02B8A484E4C4856"><enum>(2)</enum><text>pay a direct care professional—</text><subparagraph id="HB5D41240AC9D4A519014342A4A185FA4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the regular rate of pay of the direct care professional for any scheduled work hours the direct care professional does not work due to the covered entity canceling or reducing the scheduled work hours of the direct care professional after the direct care professional arrives to work for the scheduled work hours; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5FA3A6DAD59E45338BF7932EF7652AB4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>at a rate of <fraction>1/2</fraction> of the regular rate of pay of the direct care professional for any scheduled work hours the direct care professional does not work due to the covered entity canceling or reducing the scheduled work hours of the direct care professional at a time that is less than 72 hours prior to the commencement of such scheduled work hours, unless the entity—</text><clause id="H927419978BE64998A57665491135BECD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is an individual with a disability relying on the direct care professional for disability supports and services (or an entity supporting an individual with a disability); and</text></clause><clause id="H3601FDED1FDB4B6096B77E2EF90DB8F3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>requests the direct care professional to consent to work alternative, equivalent scheduled work hours within a 7-day period and the direct care professional consents to work such alternative, equivalent hours.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC571D477E28B423E90A07590E2B626FE"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Right To decline schedule changes</header><paragraph id="HA05E29389D7F48288D84D3897B4CC9CD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In the case of a covered direct care professional, if a covered entity wishes to include work hours in the scheduled work hours of such covered direct care professional that are identified as hours in which the covered direct care professional can typically expect to be scheduled as off from work in accordance with the written agreement under section 312(d)(1)(F)(iv)(I) or are identified as hours outside of the good faith estimate under section 312(d)(1)(F)(iv)(II)(cc), the hiring entity shall obtain the written consent of the worker to work such hours prior to the commencement of such work.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3D7BDB01F17947E99C9ADEB70F8A9E17"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consent</header><text>The consent required under paragraph (1) may be transmitted electronically to the covered entity.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE31DD500C1504D1981E1ED58983F4C9E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><paragraph id="H64ADE010D88C470EA84F61375034B8D7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Notwithstanding any provision in this section, the requirements under subsection (c) shall not apply—</text><subparagraph id="H8B3FF29FF9F8412DA6DC1D09A0F4E60E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>during any period in which the operations of the covered entity cannot begin or continue due to—</text><clause id="H03D90A571A884C30BAABC4030C947AD1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a fire, flood, or other natural disaster;</text></clause><clause id="H6DDDB9C8959F488889F0B1EA2CE90D6E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a major disaster or emergency declared by the President under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/5170">42 U.S.C. 5170</external-xref>, 5191) or a state of emergency declared by a Governor of a State or chief official of a unit of local government; or</text></clause><clause id="H5241CCAFAE984CBE8E15EF2B5971C271"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a severe weather condition that poses a threat to worker safety; or</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H387C3A29FB5B4F88A7BA946A9ED010D3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in a case in which—</text><clause id="H4188116B73934E22A2879E92920C06D6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the direct care professional voluntarily requested in writing a change to the scheduled work hours of the direct care professional; or</text></clause><clause id="H92F3CA468CB7497499E91BE725EF13D1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the covered entity changes the scheduled work hours of a direct care professional due to—</text><subclause id="H5F5AE351952947C78D5927D3B6AC0D1B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a medical emergency requiring emergency medical treatment or hospitalization; or</text></subclause><subclause id="HBDCD2ACADEC24AC98312B4FA4DD32FAC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the risk of contagion or a quarantine requirement related to a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/247d">42 U.S.C. 247d</external-xref>).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H2C575A389EF743818EA5F9D9EF61AFB0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Shared living arrangement</header><text>Notwithstanding any provision in this section, the requirements under this section shall not apply to a shared living arrangement.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFC13EB1C030D4B55B5EC485D0F266682"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section><section id="HA4E30A2EAD794AF78B76A3B7873C1771"><enum>314.</enum><header>Right to request and receive temporary changes to scheduled work hours due to personal events</header><subsection id="H33E83AB9712F4120A448A67020796A6E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In this section:</text><paragraph id="HAE97AF54673B4AD6898BDD6F89163A64"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered direct care professional</header><text>The term <term>covered direct care professional</term> has the meaning given the term in section 312(a).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H18941B93835E4DFDA485B7EB2C3C1668"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Domestic violence</header><text>The term <term>domestic violence</term> has the meaning given the term in section 331.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8D8944E73F43418A8EB0FFBDFEF99391"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Personal event</header><text>The term <term>personal event</term>, with respect to a covered direct care professional, means—</text><subparagraph id="H6940DB8B236D463AB45ECC0FF5B21F82"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an event resulting in the need of the covered direct care professional to serve as a caregiver for an individual related to the covered direct care professional by blood or affinity or whose close association with the covered direct care professional is the equivalent of a family relationship;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1120F7E951D34520874475B3A1D314E1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an event resulting from the obligation of a covered direct care professional to attend a legal proceeding or hearing for subsistence benefits, including benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program established under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/7/2011">7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.</external-xref>) or under a State program for temporary assistance for needy families established under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/601">42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.</external-xref>), to which the covered direct care professional, or an individual related to the covered direct care professional as described in subparagraph (A), is a party or witness; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0F5167BBEE9D4831B475C26B7B1CDA0B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any circumstance that would constitute a basis for permissible use of safe time, or family, medical, or sick leave, as determined based on the policy of the covered entity.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H947BFBAFAC36452DA5AEF2699B17E676"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Safe time</header><text>The term <term>safe time</term>, with respect to a covered direct care professional, means an absence from work of the covered direct care professional resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, if the absence is to—</text><subparagraph id="H65DF805CA86446D4A15C7B5449923FEF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>seek medical attention for the covered direct care professional or a child, parent, spouse, or domestic partner of the covered direct care professional, or any other individual related to the covered direct care professional by blood or affinity whose close association with the covered direct care professional is the equivalent of a family relationship, in order to recover from physical or psychological injury or disability caused by domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD850983BD29B440DB6D9ED1D3B2D6135"><enum>(B)</enum><text>obtain, or assist a child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or other individual described in subparagraph (A) in obtaining, services from a victim services organization;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1608BC1FFE4C4C32944EE04AA53EA5F8"><enum>(C)</enum><text>obtain, or assist a child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or other individual described in subparagraph (A) in obtaining, psychological or other counseling;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9268844D258C42C98E39FC09FF477D39"><enum>(D)</enum><text>seek relocation for the covered direct care professional or a child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or other individual described in subparagraph (A); or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8A89F799A41F470A9D48AB1B57FA15A6"><enum>(E)</enum><text>take legal action, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, of the covered direct care professional or a child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or other individual described in subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H41CB60D925DE48838A9555D0D84F97F2"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Scheduled work hours</header><text>The term <term>scheduled work hours</term> has the meaning given such term in section 313(a), except that references in such section to the term <term>direct care professional</term> shall be deemed to be a reference to the term <term>covered direct care professional</term>.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7AC6235D004542F181AC090EF715A559"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Sexual assault; stalking</header><text>The terms <term>sexual assault</term> and <term>stalking</term> have the meanings given such terms in section 331.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H98CCAE31AE344753B6951A24322B23B2"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Temporary change</header><text>The term <term>temporary change</term>, with respect to a change in the scheduled work hours of a covered direct care professional, means a limited alteration in the hours or dates that, or locations where, a covered direct care professional is scheduled to work, including through using paid time off, trading or shifting work hours, or using short-term unpaid leave.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HAEF26E2CE4AE4FF0B3649608D4DFB365"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Request</header><paragraph id="H5BF4194FA81C4780817AA7306B17963C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In accordance with this subsection, for each calendar year, a covered entity shall, upon request of a covered direct care professional, grant to the covered direct care professional not less than—</text><subparagraph id="H67AFC2A1AD864A11B4A253E1BB05588D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>2 requests for a temporary change, covering not more than 1 business day per request, to the scheduled work hours of the covered direct care professional due to a personal event; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H50332546BF014AACA2E93D9B7F9CBD80"><enum>(B)</enum><text>1 request for a temporary change, covering not more than 2 business days, to the scheduled work hours of the covered direct care professional due to a personal event.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H85A4877D6ED24151BE0A6B3FD14DFE76"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notification of request</header><subparagraph id="HA4F27C2A37A8424AB5AD348A1898BF3F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A covered direct care professional who requests a temporary change to the scheduled work hours of the covered direct care professional due to a personal event under this subsection shall—</text><clause id="HECA2F0C5CF174E74AAF3A36D83F836E9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>notify the covered entity, or direct supervisor, of such covered direct care professional, as soon as the covered direct care professional becomes aware of the need for the temporary change and inform the entity or supervisor that the change is due to a personal event;</text></clause><clause id="HD01AF2AF3E064B809A932502D11F07AF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>make a proposal for the temporary change to the scheduled work hours of the covered direct care professional, unless the covered direct care professional seeks leave without pay; and</text></clause><clause id="H31005E79DCFA47179447DED09536F2D5"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>subject to subparagraph (B), not be required to initially submit the request in writing.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0ADCCC1BFACC43E095DCF4FB177478C0"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Written record</header><clause id="H7F4FD677B5F94675BC15E61FD3043F55"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A covered direct care professional that requests a temporary change to the scheduled work hours of the covered direct care professional under this subsection and does not initially submit a request for such change in writing shall, as soon as practicable and not later than 2 business days after date on which the covered direct care professional returns to work following the conclusion of the temporary change to the scheduled work hours, submit a written record of such request indicating—</text><subclause id="H50671312475240A28C208C63C25C6689"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the date for which the change was requested; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H4F060A34C40A4B2DBA800DB0E395AE90"><enum>(II)</enum><text>that the request was made due to a personal event.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H44E33A4C08754AA5AB347F804942D28C"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Electronic means</header><text>A covered entity may require that a record under this subparagraph be submitted in electronic form if covered direct care professionals of the entity commonly use an electronic form to request and manage leave and schedule changes.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H21FEBB12243C428B8A3AC822F1DA49DD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Response</header><text>A covered entity who receives a request under subsection (b) for a temporary change to the scheduled work hours of a covered direct care professional due to a personal event shall respond as soon as practicable. Such entity shall not be initially required to respond to such request in writing. If such entity does not initially respond to the requested schedule change in writing, the entity shall, as soon as practicable and not later than 1 week after the requested schedule change, provide the direct care professional with a written record of the response to the requested schedule change.</text></subsection><subsection id="H2F858606FBC046BC98D4824EEB0387C7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>This section shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection></section><section id="H3258D351321644AC8178BA68A64AF1CA"><enum>315.</enum><header>Privacy</header><subsection id="H42A1459415F94FD6B6BA42C1B174ADFF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A covered entity shall not—</text><paragraph id="HC7B7E2E237BA4D0CACC0BD48085C6D00"><enum>(1)</enum><text>monitor or record a direct care professional while such direct care professional is—</text><subparagraph id="HD18E1B4DADA94994B45B1AEB10179933"><enum>(A)</enum><text>using restroom or bathing facilities;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1D86AA1BE6F4410498B7588D79C2CA46"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the private living quarters of the direct care professional; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H278ABCD903F1458CBE4ACC0B2D420E01"><enum>(C)</enum><text>engaging in any activities associated with the dressing, undressing, or changing of clothes of the direct care professional;</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H0B86EE3AFD2B4FC9B7A9A791EDF7CF58"><enum>(2)</enum><text>subject to subsection (b), restrict or interfere with, or monitor, the private communications of such direct care professional; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7FC3FD4A7BD7402EBF38BBD3FF553819"><enum>(3)</enum><text>take possession of any documents or other personal effects of such direct care professional.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1971275147EA4B0EBC465A3FC0FDE2B5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Private communications</header><text>A covered entity may—</text><paragraph id="H81442672009A44E29DB20FE7A78AE3BB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>restrict, interfere with, or monitor the private communications of a direct care professional if the entity has a reasonable belief that such communications significantly interfere with the direct care professional’s performance of expected duties; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H58DC8B96094D4AA5B02D2586364EE87A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>establish reasonable restrictions on the private communications of a direct care professional while such direct care professional is performing work for the entity.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDE59840C0D654FC689065A3AB50B75F7"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Relation to other laws</header><text>This section shall not preclude liability under any other law.</text></subsection><subsection id="H67504EDB59FB4BA59902A7A063E9E35B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Definition of private communications</header><text>In this section, the term <term>private communications</term> means any communication through telephone or internet services, including sending and receiving communications by text message, social media, electronic mail, and telephone, with an entity or individual other than the covered entity.</text></subsection></section><section id="HC45669733C1F49309C119B22F5878EA0"><enum>316.</enum><header>Breaks for meals and rest</header><subsection id="H173CE78CAD3743BF8A92EED54545BFC4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Meal breaks</header><paragraph id="HAFDA0ED184F14E34A206BC3801EAD14D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (c), a covered entity shall not require a direct care professional to work more than 5 hours for such hiring entity without an uninterrupted meal break of not less than 30 minutes. The number of hours worked by a direct care professional for purposes of this paragraph shall be calculated without regard to any rest break the direct care professional takes and to which the direct care professional has a right under subsection (b).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3FAE722BF3B747C9A5CF2C70065C8207"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rate of pay</header><text>A covered entity shall pay a direct care professional for a meal break under paragraph (1) at the regular rate of pay of the direct care professional, unless the direct care professional is relieved of all duty for not less than 30 minutes during the meal break and is permitted to leave the work site during such break.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H855665B97CCE4E35B6638C30EF1A7AFE"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Paid meal break</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (c), for any paid meal break required under paragraph (2), a covered entity—</text><subparagraph id="HFC6BC1C217AA42FEBB7C1E85800EE870"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall provide a reasonable opportunity for a direct care professional to take such break for a period of uninterrupted time that is not less than 30 minutes; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC7D348F0A8D4488F85D81F114BD0519A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>shall not impede or discourage a direct care professional from taking such meal break.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF889F91BAA91475C8140FA44E60CF85C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rest breaks</header><paragraph id="H2E24FD1CAF4B4F539533E576D40AB7A3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (c), for every 4 hours of work that a direct care professional is scheduled to perform for a covered entity, the entity shall allow the direct care professional a rest break of not less than 10 uninterrupted minutes in which the direct care professional is relieved of all duties related to providing long-term care services to the entity. The entity shall allow such rest break to occur during the first 3 hours of consecutive work performed by the direct care professional for the entity.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6BA3668D084047F8ADD9DB98995B1878"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rate of pay</header><text>A covered entity shall pay a direct care professional for the times spent by the direct care professional for a rest break under paragraph (1) at the regular rate of pay of the direct care professional. The hiring entity shall not impede or discourage a direct care professional from taking such break.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA4B84B0AD8404EEE9206844BBBC83C2F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><paragraph id="HE48A3DF8299A44EBB70B12BB8CC725BB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), a direct care professional may not have the right to a meal break under subsection (a), or a rest break under subsection (b), in a case in which the safety of an individual under the care of the direct care professional prevents the direct care professional from taking such break.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB819913A6BCD4B079ABE862CD306084C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>On-duty breaks</header><subparagraph id="H9EAC2DB5E63D495E83083D4AAE014AC0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Definition of on-duty</header><text>In this subsection, the term <term>on-duty</term>, with respect to a meal break under subsection (a) or a rest break under subsection (b), means such a break in which the direct care professional—</text><clause id="H9E54CC25D9304423B52756E3DE8C8204"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is not relieved of all duties of the direct care professional for the covered entity; and</text></clause><clause id="H32EAE04370A147AE8D94EF6F43EA83DD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>may, to the extent possible given the duties of the direct care professional for the covered entity, engage in personal activities, such as resting, eating a meal, drinking a beverage, making a personal telephone call, or making other personal choices.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5A4296B60833409DAC16607384EF1387"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Authorization</header><clause id="HB66578D61509445B870DEA62837643A3"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>In a case described in paragraph (1), the direct care professional may still take an on-duty meal or rest break under subsection (a) or (b), respectively, if—</text><subclause id="HCD3ADDD5D7664371B0984055DA01E771"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the nature of the work prevents a direct care professional from being relieved of all duties required of the direct care professional for the covered entity; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HB7D4F36CB2774103BB2F17552B82D21C"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the direct care professional and the covered entity agree to such an on-duty meal or rest break in a written agreement described in clause (ii).</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H2B797281D63C4CB0A9A34DAB24D7A2B5"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Written agreement</header><text>The written agreement under clause (i)(II) shall include a provision allowing the direct care professional to, in writing, revoke the agreement at any time.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1B43D6CE226842FEB48575BAA8C293A7"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Rate of pay</header><text>A covered entity shall compensate a direct care professional for the time of an on-duty meal or rest break under this paragraph at the regular rate of pay of the direct care professional for the entity.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H173905CD2D494577959559963BC85046"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Shared living arrangement</header><text>The requirements under this section shall not apply in the case of a shared living arrangement.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HC15A83F301064EC183A3AA732B52A418"><enum>317.</enum><header>Prohibited acts</header><subsection id="H3CC43B03B54F43F8A979E023071617DD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Interference with rights</header><text>It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right provided under this subtitle, including—</text><paragraph id="HEB9DA462104243AC8D50E3201A691655"><enum>(1)</enum><text>discharging or in any manner discriminating against (including retaliating against) any direct care professional for—</text><subparagraph id="HA1F70A8E4EFA483F874CBED1140F8CB9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>exercising, or attempting to exercise, any right provided under this subtitle; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2A2DECE41CBD4D07A9D78B4AC5F29DBE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>engaging in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or mutual aid or protection, regardless of whether such activities are with direct care professionals of different employers or direct care professionals at different worksites; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HCFAD02B09D634FD0921D66DF7E770A31"><enum>(2)</enum><text>discriminating against any direct care professional by using the exercise of a right provided under this subtitle as a negative factor in an employment action, such as an action involving hiring, promotion, or changing work hours or number of shifts, or a disciplinary action.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HF85772E23BB446A5A4A3CB1AA18EEEDD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Retaliation protection</header><text>It shall be unlawful for any covered entity to discharge, demote, suspend, reduce the work hours of, take any other adverse employment action against, threaten to take an adverse employment action against, or in any other manner discriminate against a direct care professional with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because the direct care professional (or any person acting pursuant to the request of the direct care professional), whether at the initiative of the direct care professional or in the ordinary course of the direct care professional’s duties—</text><paragraph id="HAE589E7F32094D869BFDDFFB463F54D9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>opposes any practice made unlawful under this subtitle;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFEC65CAC4B0D42C18C5D4C349677B634"><enum>(2)</enum><text>asserts any claim or right under this subtitle;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H18A936CBC0C6469CB3D9EB0DCAB8FFFF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>assists a direct care professional in asserting such claim or right;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H48F96689698A4487A5C3195F333E965A"><enum>(4)</enum><text>informs any direct care professional about this subtitle;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H61A6F475D4714F0B8EEF4A20BE959345"><enum>(5)</enum><text>requests a change to the written agreement described in section 312;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H96BAB787ADB34D85A2021C09C7002977"><enum>(6)</enum><text>requests a change in scheduled work hours described in section 314, or any other schedule change, without regard to the eligibility of such direct care professional to receive any such change;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9B446871315E4F23B052520BC3A2FB87"><enum>(7)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H9BBD0FFC24F44E24A8A31633E8F0C5E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>files an action, or institutes or causes to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this subtitle;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6CB88E7008DB40A490CA858BBA326956" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>gives, or is about to give, any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this subtitle; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H73ABC647BE764A4C920A9C827AF434A2" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>testifies, or is about to testify, in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this subtitle; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HDC8EA806A40A4BAD8B915F009BA77207"><enum>(8)</enum><text>engages in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or mutual aid or protection, regardless of whether such activities are with direct care professionals of different employers or direct care professionals at different worksites.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC25DE63AB3E64331A90B3AF86A53743C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Immigration-Related actions as discrimination</header><text>For purposes of subsections (a) and (b), discrimination with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment occurs if a person undertakes any of the following activities (unless such activity is legal conduct undertaken at the express and specific direction or request of the Federal Government):</text><paragraph id="H55C348B7C24A498FB0738CFF23993735"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Reporting, or threatening to report, the citizenship or immigration status of a direct care professional, or the suspected citizenship or immigration status of a family member of such an individual, to a Federal, State, or local agency.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0D46E5728FFB43028DE85E07C98A0463"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Requesting more or different documents than those required under section 274A(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)</external-xref>), or refusing to honor documents that on their face appear to be genuine.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEE68072F5EDC477C9F091FE9E766BFCC"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Using the Federal E-Verify system to check employment status in a manner not required under section 274A(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/8/1324a">8 U.S.C. 1324a(b)</external-xref>) or any memorandum governing use of the E-Verify system.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H161630A8920542CC85C81AA635CC3788"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Filing, or threatening to file, a false police report relating to the immigration status of a direct care professional, or a family member of a direct care professional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6656B1D902AB4ECC969D0E9F006A6801"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Contacting, or threatening to contact, immigration authorities relating to the immigration status of a direct care professional, or a family member of a direct care professional.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9BF112A2C86A45E5934F3673BACC757E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Presumption of retaliation</header><paragraph id="H4A17976314AA4E48BB9FA4E66C9E2CC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>For the purposes of subsections (a) and (b), proof that a person discharged an individual, or discriminated against an individual with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, within 90 days of the individual involved asserting any claim or right under this subtitle, or assisting any other individual in asserting such a claim or right, shall raise a presumption that the discharge or discrimination was in retaliation as prohibited under subsection (a) or (b), as the case may be.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H21ECB1AD11234C8B8A0FB9443131A22E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Rebuttal</header><text>The presumption under paragraph (1) may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence that such discharge or discrimination was taken for another permissible reason.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HEACBA28518B9443B8A1CC1FC9890B7B7"><enum>318.</enum><header>Enforcement authority</header><subsection id="H7250E1482EF04D0C8C1A2823E24719BD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><paragraph id="H91340B5C017047FFB91D11E47B1E817A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Application</header><text>In this subsection—</text><subparagraph id="H8DE93EFE1A9F401D85A558D2A95CF19E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the term <term>covered entity</term> means a covered entity described in subsection (e)(1)(A); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4DFD8122955A41EE8EFFBB0FF086B932"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the term <term>direct care professional</term> means a direct care professional described in subsection (e)(4)(A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H65351153809B4C13A9A4688B30EB04F7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Investigative authority</header><subparagraph id="HD7A36666BFEF44A783C05C7B8C566429"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To ensure compliance with the provisions of this subtitle, or any regulation or order issued under this subtitle, the Secretary shall have the investigative authority provided under section 11(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/211">29 U.S.C. 211(a)</external-xref>), with respect to covered entities, direct care professionals, and other individuals affected.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H930EC6D389EC499E8CEEEE55F56FABBF"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Obligation to keep and preserve records</header><text>A covered entity shall make, keep, and preserve records pertaining to compliance with this subtitle in accordance with section 11(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/211">29 U.S.C. 211(c)</external-xref>) and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF87828C8224A44E1B0404A4D9A20BA34"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Required submissions generally limited to an annual basis</header><text>The Secretary shall not require under this paragraph a covered entity to submit to the Secretary any books or records more than once during any 12-month period, unless the Secretary—</text><clause id="H9880BB52A4124E0093C3F448874C8AB9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>has reasonable cause to believe there may exist a violation of this subtitle, including any regulation or order issued under this subtitle; or</text></clause><clause id="H9D1676EE853F4125B27AE71CBC346FDB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is investigating a charge under paragraph (4).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H189BE5CF2AB940BCAD3F53741F7C0AA6"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Subpoena authority</header><text>For the purposes of any investigation under this paragraph, the Secretary shall have the subpoena authority provided under section 9 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/209">29 U.S.C. 209</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H402A25B5329A4B4192C2307B289AD2D1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Civil action by direct care professionals</header><subparagraph id="HE0E1F8EF45DC4AE08CD64D534BBDB06F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Right of action</header><text>An action to recover the damages or equitable relief prescribed in subparagraph (B) may be maintained against a covered entity by one or more direct care professionals, or a representative for and on behalf of the direct care professionals and any other direct care professionals that may be similarly situated.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H56D2314E033147EA8C96EBFE049076BD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Liability</header><text>A covered entity that violates this subtitle shall be liable to a direct care professional aggrieved by the violation, except as provided in subparagraphs (C) and (D), for—</text><clause id="H920A968AD2C3458FB06A72515609D90B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>damages equal to—</text><subclause id="HA2D62ADD5CFE4C2F810A04D7ACA4D4BF"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the amount of—</text><item id="H13EAE8508407468EA0D86BDD6F98E44C"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>any wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation denied or lost by reason of the violation; or</text></item><item id="HC7DE18FAFFB040F6A0C040AB420C715D"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>in a case in which wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation have not been denied or lost, any actual monetary losses sustained, or the costs reasonably related to damage to or loss of property, or any other injury to the person, reputation, character, or feelings, sustained by a direct care professional as a direct result of the violation, or any injury to another person sustained as a direct result of the violation, by the covered entity;</text></item></subclause><subclause id="H2F317E8BC2274241A91C59ABD1DC1122"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the interest on the amount described in subclause (I) calculated at the prevailing rate;</text></subclause><subclause id="H7F242C1EFF3C44A091976500A777F108"><enum>(III)</enum><text>an additional amount as liquidated damages; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HBD897D8BEA3A42178056F8AC8A3CFBC5"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>such other legal relief as may be appropriate;</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H74680B858E704D0182BFF5F83904E32F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>such equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement, and promotion; and</text></clause><clause id="H837D6EFEF7704050A284EE7658DAAA72"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>a reasonable attorney’s fee, reasonable expert witness fees, and other costs of the action.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H65E064C50D5C4E278CDD5307202B4072"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Meal and rest breaks</header><text>In the case of a violation of section 316, the covered entity involved shall be liable under subparagraph (B)—</text><clause id="H17AA8BD75E2540968689FB0A07CF0497"><enum>(i)</enum><text>for the amount of damages described in subclauses (I), (II), and (III) of subparagraph (B)(i); and</text></clause><clause id="H18745DAE65CC436999E143BBBBAC0023"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>under subparagraph (B)(i)(IV), for each such violation, for an amount equal to 1 hour of pay at the direct care professional’s regular rate of compensation (but not more than 2 hours of such pay for each workday for which the covered entity is in violation of such section).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAFD856464B8F441496F0E5B485E6133D"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Written agreements</header><text>In the case of a violation of section 312, the covered entity involved shall be liable, under subparagraph (B)(i)(I), for an amount equal to $5,000.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H09AC91CFED8D45EA9384724673D4AD1E"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Venue</header><text>An action under this paragraph may be maintained in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF711548D7883434D8286621766C538A9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Action by the secretary</header><subparagraph id="H191FBDFD5DCD446AA2D7C3E347972CC7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Administrative action</header><clause id="H9295F3C92AC24B8587CE2B2883E777A1"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), and subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (3), the Secretary shall receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints of violations of this subtitle in the same manner that the Secretary receives, investigates, and attempts to resolve complaints of violations of sections 6, 7, and 15(a)(3) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/206">29 U.S.C. 206</external-xref>, 207, and 215(a)(3)), including the Secretary’s authority to supervise payment of wages and compensation under section 16(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/216">29 U.S.C. 216(c)</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="H9809699877EE4E99ABA01CA987A34382"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Violations generally</header><text>The Secretary may assess a civil penalty against a covered entity that violates any section of this subtitle—</text><subclause id="HD7FEAD7F6C1445B5B1F3FE79BC2A45E6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>of not more than $15,000 for any first violation of any such section by such covered entity; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HB9CE2FC96FA84C87BCB4C5E97A32FCCC"><enum>(II)</enum><text>of not more than $25,000 for any subsequent violation of any such section by such covered entity.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H70857116FB3F44D29C0A77CCF6087F90"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Administrative review</header><text>Any aggrieved direct care professional who takes exception to an order issued by the Secretary under subparagraph (A) may request review of and a decision regarding such order by an administrative law judge. In reviewing the order, the administrative law judge may hold an administrative hearing concerning the order, in accordance with the requirements of sections 554, 556, and 557 of title 5, United States Code. Such hearing shall be conducted expeditiously. If no aggrieved direct care professional requests such review within 60 days after the order is issued under subparagraph (A), the order shall be considered to be a final order that is not subject to judicial review.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFFAEFE86C5624CB798E7EE08D7A174EF"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Civil action</header><text>The Secretary may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover amounts described in paragraph (3)(B) on behalf of a direct care professional aggrieved by a violation of this subtitle.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDC24D52C807A42A2AA09B947BF33618B"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Sums recovered</header><clause id="H2BD15842260A44FD9F616521B3AA2B79"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Any sums recovered by the Secretary under subparagraph (C) shall be held in a special deposit account and shall be paid, on order of the Secretary, directly to each direct care professional aggrieved by the violation for which the action was brought. Any such sums not paid to a direct care professional because of inability to do so within a period of 3 years shall be deposited into the Treasury of the United States as a miscellaneous receipt.</text></clause><clause id="H7587ED130433454F98C886B857313E08"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Civil penalty</header><text>Any sums recovered by the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury of the United States as a miscellaneous receipt.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H70291FF408A3493593A70EDB8BD076F8"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Limitation</header><subparagraph id="H3D78C1A2639A4837A80963CF4C742513"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an action may be brought under paragraph (3), (4), or (6) not later than 2 years after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation for which the action is brought.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7BD4DBA63CA24C6699459DC969C06CB3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Willful violation</header><text>In the case of an action brought for a willful violation of this subtitle, such action may be brought not later than 3 years after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation for which such action is brought.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5EBD583FE6D1452AAC87495F079D8CBE"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Commencement</header><text>An action shall be considered commenced under paragraph (3), (4), or (6) for the purposes of this paragraph on the date on which the complaint is filed under such paragraph (3), (4), or (6).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF35ECB0CD434444E8F93A4C995637E8B"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Action for injunction</header><text>The district courts of the United States together with the District Court of the Virgin Islands and the District Court of Guam shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, in an action brought by a direct care professional or the Secretary—</text><subparagraph id="HE791534D54174616A071026A3A3C10E5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to restrain violations of this subtitle, including the withholding of a written agreement from a direct care professional as required under section 312, or of any withholding of payment of wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation, plus interest, found by the court to be due to a direct care professional under this subtitle; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7B1B50C0EB2442A3B86924D55B132A41"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to award such other equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement, and promotion, for a violation of this subtitle.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H930D351AEED042CEB788D15BBE2510C2"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Solicitor of labor</header><text>The Solicitor of Labor may appear for and represent the Secretary on any litigation brought under paragraph (4) or (6).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDD38F198A15D4D65B121F2BD64EFCCE7"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Government Accountability Office and Library of Congress</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection, in the case of the Government Accountability Office and the Library of Congress, the authority of the Secretary of Labor under this subsection shall be exercised respectively by the Comptroller General of the United States and the Librarian of Congress.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9333A76727FE4B72B4A01F34A6C4D16B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Employees covered by Congressional Accountability Act of 1995</header><text>The powers, remedies, and procedures provided in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/1301">2 U.S.C. 1301 et seq.</external-xref>) to the Board (as defined in section 101 of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/1301">2 U.S.C. 1301</external-xref>)), or any person, alleging a violation of section 202(a)(1) of that Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/2/1312">2 U.S.C. 1312(a)(1)</external-xref>) shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to that Board, or any person, alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this subtitle against a direct care professional described in subsection (e)(4)(B).</text></subsection><subsection id="HE77FF19F02E944699F8B5251E3E35BA2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Employees covered by chapter <enum-in-header>5</enum-in-header> of title <enum-in-header>3</enum-in-header>, United States Code</header><text>The powers, remedies, and procedures provided in <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/3/5">chapter 5</external-xref> of title 3, United States Code, to the President, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or any person, alleging a violation of section 412(a)(1) of that title, shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to the President, that Board, or any person, respectively, alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this subtitle against a direct care professional described in subsection (e)(4)(C).</text></subsection><subsection id="H0A1F55D8FA9C498FBC0746D5404570F5"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Employees covered by chapter <enum-in-header>63 </enum-in-header>of title <enum-in-header>5,</enum-in-header> United States Code</header><text>The powers, remedies, and procedures provided in title 5, United States Code, to an employing agency, provided in chapter 12 of that title to the Merit Systems Protection Board, or provided in that title to any person, alleging a violation of chapter 63 of that title, shall be the powers, remedies, and procedures this Act provides to that agency, that Board, or any person, respectively, alleging an unlawful employment practice in violation of this subtitle against a direct care professional described in subsection (e)(4)(D).</text></subsection><subsection id="H90C03DAF25834A0D8CA3ECAEC22C1DA6"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Definition</header><text>In section 317 and this section, except as otherwise provided in this subsection:</text><paragraph id="HEB23C490D894453C84B4FD5CFDC4B720"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered entity</header><text>Notwithstanding section 311, the term <term>covered entity</term> means a covered entity—</text><subparagraph id="H1962441F271F4BA2A72A25CF84DFF0A7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>as defined in section 311(b) except that a reference in that section to a person or an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A), and subparagraph (B), of paragraph (2);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0919FB455FC24348B7A5696AF153919D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>as defined in section 311(b) except that a reference in that section to a person or an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in subparagraphs (A)(iii) and (B) of paragraph (2);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H044F35A9A19A4BC0A965BF9FD6E4A934"><enum>(C)</enum><text>as defined in section 311(b) except that a reference in that section to a person or an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in subparagraphs (A)(iv) and (B) of paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5F853ABC347F4D9D8F6F79944F207DBD"><enum>(D)</enum><text>as defined in section 311(b) except that a reference in that section to a person or an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in subparagraphs (A)(v) and (B) of paragraph (2).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H77B15DF901184E4898315E70F3CB5A2B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Employer</header><text>Notwithstanding section 311, for purposes of paragraph (1), the term <term>employer</term> means a person who is—</text><subparagraph id="HF7B375FA11954CD0AC09A5FD0C51A25C"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H8116A4BA927D4E2B8C091E03213F9137"><enum>(i)</enum><text>any person who is not covered under another clause of this subparagraph;</text></clause><clause id="HAF2FC7014BFB4F469317E8079FEDD0F0" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an entity employing a State employee described in section 304(a) of the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991;</text></clause><clause id="HE5B8E41FAFA540C3922C68DFA38C8814" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an employing office, as defined in section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995;</text></clause><clause id="H7D425C787C6243D3BC86D99E357E1E05" indent="up1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>an employing office, as defined in section 411(c) of title 3, United States Code; or</text></clause><clause id="H0D1D6210370547A5AA985D44E83B6E4B" indent="up1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>an employing agency covered under subchapter V of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/63">chapter 63</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H70104628AB6547F8B36DA782D7B762E6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>engaged in commerce or the production of goods for commerce or is an enterprise engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1CFF785D5FCE4BB5A78A78EB4B44E27F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Employment</header><text>Notwithstanding section 3, the term <term>employment</term> includes work as a direct care professional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2E509C9A861547FEA33439E9BDF2B4F9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Direct care professional</header><text>Notwithstanding section 3, the term <term>direct care professional</term> means—</text><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H807A0B0A64264557946EA19DA0C76211"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">direct care professional (as defined in such section) who is compensated for the performance of long-term care services by an entity described in paragraph (1)(A);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HE750B2C6DE064E72ADA373EE1D9D6564"><enum>(B)</enum><text>direct care professional (as defined in such section) who is compensated for the performance of long-term care services by an entity described in paragraph (1)(B);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAF3F8FC7145A4A17A89F8ACC571AB376"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">direct care professional (as defined in such section) who is compensated for the performance of long-term care services by an entity described in paragraph (1)(C); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H3683FAC32E204EE8B51A2DD6E1A2A6B1"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">direct care professional (as defined in such section) who is compensated for the performance of long-term care services by an entity described in paragraph (1)(D).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HDF7F1B288B22446CB7A62D6E48030C07"><enum>319.</enum><header>Effect on existing employment benefits and other laws</header><subsection id="HAC0FFC41D02C485A95EA7D88E83D9FBC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Nothing in this subtitle shall—</text><paragraph id="H19F55AAC98C448D68FBCD611A723E129"><enum>(1)</enum><text>supersede a provision in a collective bargaining agreement;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H177CEEE443544B1FB949007C8D2D5435"><enum>(2)</enum><text>be construed to diminish the obligation of a covered entity to comply with any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefit program or plan that provides greater rights or benefits to direct care professionals than the rights established under this subtitle; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H69429DA9E7F34240BA34458D7437370B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>be construed to discourage or prevent a covered entity from adopting a contract, collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefit program or plan that provides greater rights or benefits to direct care professionals than the rights established under this subtitle.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4EB846B87F474ACCA499784FDE2993D8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Other laws</header><text>Nothing in this subtitle shall—</text><paragraph id="HCCEB973C43164C919A31CDBBB54C8DFD"><enum>(1)</enum><text>affect the obligation of a covered entity to provide a reasonable accommodation in the form of a change to the work schedule of a direct care professional required under any other law, or to otherwise comply with any other law;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2B091DF331684508B09661C32C422304"><enum>(2)</enum><text>preempt, limit, or otherwise affect the applicability of any State or local law that provides comparable or superior benefits for direct care professionals to the requirements under this subtitle; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HEDBA6A80C1F64FE78ECEE5430F76C0F7"><enum>(3)</enum><text>diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any direct care professional under any Federal or State law or under any collective bargaining agreement.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H93D39A408A1E407D90E17D724C902D97"><enum>(c)</enum><header>No waivers</header><text>The rights and remedies in this subtitle may not be waived by a direct care professional through any agreement, policy, or form, or as a condition of employment.</text></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="HC62494A5A5BB44A6B0115F02B19E6C82"><enum>C</enum><header>Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Services Workers Act</header><section id="H101796B1F22E42B7BB612DA5AE44850A"><enum>321.</enum><header>Workplace Violence Prevention Standard</header><subsection id="H7E21B1A5E9084C69AE0D219C62F07C98"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Interim final standard</header><paragraph id="HF4647257C6E0424D888841CC73FF3098"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall issue an interim final standard on workplace violence prevention—</text><subparagraph id="HBC5F342869A84F2CB4C5FC9651B11CDD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to require certain employers in the health care and social service sectors, and certain employers in sectors that conduct activities similar to the activities in the health care and social service sectors, to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan and carry out other activities or requirements described in section 323 to protect health care workers, social service workers, and other personnel from workplace violence;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4B846271DD524803AADAC43456A5FDF4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that shall, at a minimum, be based on the Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor in 2015 and adhere to the requirements of this subtitle; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3FCEEC80F5194AAA8463F75335BCB343"><enum>(C)</enum><text>that provides for a period determined appropriate by the Secretary, not to exceed 1 year, during which the Secretary shall prioritize technical assistance and advice consistent with section 21(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/670">29 U.S.C. 670(d)</external-xref>) to employers subject to the standard with respect to compliance with the standard.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8CE603CD74B642AE90CC9A50E960E803"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Inapplicable provisions of law and executive order</header><text>The following provisions of law and Executive orders shall not apply to the issuance of the interim final standard under this subsection:</text><subparagraph id="H3BCACA38043C49429C50D776A6C8956B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The requirements applicable to occupational safety and health standards under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655(b)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4B284269ED644A3DAC653136966BB959"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The requirements of chapters 5 and 6 of title 5, United States Code.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H316F5EC66B854105A1865D080E04BA86"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/44/35">chapter 35</external-xref> of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the <quote>Paperwork Reduction Act</quote>).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H994397E28D9B4D728CBDE74B1EE86982"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Executive Order No. 12866 (58 Fed. Reg. 51735; relating to regulatory planning and review), as amended.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H482C6CF9A46C4C57B2FC234759AE0EA5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notice and comment</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary shall, prior to issuing the interim final standard under this subsection, provide notice in the Federal Register of the interim final standard and a 30-day period for public comment.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA25C5DCCA1DD41A095A9C87F3EBD116B"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Effective date of interim standard</header><text>The interim final standard shall—</text><subparagraph id="H426FF77510B246C59357C99DB67D2EA6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>take effect on a date that is not later than 30 days after issuance, except that such interim final standard may include a reasonable phase-in period for the implementation of required engineering controls that take effect after such date;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8A82DAE77FB942BB95862DE1E5F255CE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be enforced in the same manner and to the same extent as any standard promulgated under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655(b)</external-xref>); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE6E26211E9F4E1D9B13779B97F7237C"><enum>(C)</enum><text>be in effect until the final standard described in subsection (b) becomes effective and enforceable.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H599C59FAA41E4A088ACC7E29FBD51AC7"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Failure to promulgate</header><text>If an interim final standard described in paragraph (1) is not issued not later than 1 year of the date of enactment of this Act, the provisions of section 323 shall be in effect and enforced in the same manner and to the same extent as any standard promulgated under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655(b)</external-xref>) until such provisions are superseded in whole by an interim final standard issued by the Secretary that meets the requirements of paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H54C2CBBFC542496783F90095CD46C2C4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Final standard</header><paragraph id="HB12F9FF5450C4007BC935379465E8672"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Proposed standard</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor shall, pursuant to section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655</external-xref>), promulgate a proposed standard on workplace violence prevention—</text><subparagraph id="H53E968AD579948ED9DAB2BF997E14759"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for the purposes described in subsection (a)(1)(A); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H51E774AEFF2943DDA46BA3744BB1521F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that shall include, at a minimum, requirements contained in the interim final standard required under subsection (a).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HAD4ECF4A2D9D4FC4BE1BD1247A2AA212"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Final standard</header><text>Not later than 42 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue a final standard on such proposed standard that shall—</text><subparagraph id="H1EF34B69477241E4AC8B7F7477DBF315"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provide no less protection than any workplace violence standard adopted by a State plan that has been approved by the Secretary under section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/667">29 U.S.C. 667</external-xref>), provided the Secretary finds that the final standard is feasible on the basis of the best available evidence; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEC0BF96831BA4577ABBAFBA915755453"><enum>(B)</enum><text>be effective and enforceable in the same manner and to the same extent as any standard promulgated under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655(b)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H766D6F021F8C491B8F9A2A56F4341293"><enum>322.</enum><header>Scope and application</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle:</text><paragraph id="H5DBBE27EA06142FC97AE44CC001E35C7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Covered facility</header><subparagraph id="HB41436A7185141F99D9E1864A6E37A1E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>covered facility</term> means the following:</text><clause id="HEDB2CE7221EE4E0BA0FB10D587F09875"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Any hospital, including any specialty hospital, in-patient or outpatient setting, or clinic operating within a hospital license, or any setting that provides outpatient services.</text></clause><clause id="HEE0EEDB2B0F744C581025945C1E94A87"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Any residential treatment facility, including any nursing home, skilled nursing facility, hospice facility, Alzheimer’s and dementia care facility, or other long-term care facility.</text></clause><clause id="HEE6FEA765BDE4227B6A312526F884856"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any nonresidential treatment or service setting.</text></clause><clause id="H1738F46F1778426BB78695DC03450487"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any medical treatment or social service setting or clinic at a correctional or detention facility.</text></clause><clause id="H1469D8D7D3BB4510B9EBE0E03FA52ADD"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Any community care setting, including a community-based residential facility, group home, and mental health clinic.</text></clause><clause id="HA631472771EF4063A7E2C2AB73C2E9CA"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Any psychiatric treatment facility.</text></clause><clause id="H6B5ADADF534E4F69B921490D0D752E41"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Any drug abuse or substance use disorder treatment center.</text></clause><clause id="H50D6EB4FAEC548A49E3A85E495372A7F"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Any independent freestanding emergency center.</text></clause><clause id="H96B031C5F3B34237AC8D9D938A16CBB6"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>Any assisted living facility.</text></clause><clause id="H162FBFA70CBD45FA91239A170F44EB97"><enum>(x)</enum><text>Any provider of home and community-based services.</text></clause><clause id="HE6855AB4E3D346FC8D6958320ABE63D0"><enum>(xi)</enum><text>Any facility described in clauses (i) through (x) operated by a Federal Government agency and required to comply with occupational safety and health standards pursuant to part 1960 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as such part is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).</text></clause><clause id="H4081225442A74BA38CC6A744EAF8FA81"><enum>(xii)</enum><text>Any other facility the Secretary determines should be covered under the standards promulgated under section 321.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE264BF0EEA0E452682BCCD497ED89664"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exclusion</header><text>The term <term>covered facility</term> does not include an office of a physician, dentist, podiatrist, or any other health practitioner that is not physically located within a covered facility described in clauses (i) through (xi) of subparagraph (A).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC1427B111B204739A938C06B314F044A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Covered services</header><subparagraph id="H92D270CF7B9746C0B832E1EB6AB92DE4"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>covered service</term> means the following services and operations:</text><clause id="HE537ACF387F74E0AA36B34DB4042A070"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Any services and operations provided in any field work setting, including home health care, home-based hospice, and home-based social work.</text></clause><clause id="HC10D7C5190904006AE37601FBB3CDDB5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Any emergency services and transport, including such services provided by firefighters and emergency responders.</text></clause><clause id="H18080859013A4FF3B2452E56A17342EC"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any services described in clauses (i) and (ii) performed by a Federal Government agency and required to comply with occupational safety and health standards pursuant to part 1960 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as such part is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).</text></clause><clause id="HCA0F90B7AD64467FA047F7645A47AF51"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any other services and operations the Secretary determines should be covered under the standards promulgated under section 321.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9B9A47E651E0414D99F37E5C158ED827"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exclusion</header><text>The term <term>covered service</term> does not include child day care services.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9A5C87B0765148FFBD1CE682F4324488"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Covered employer</header><subparagraph id="H331409DC3BB44B85872D6D07E9CF3114"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>covered employer</term> includes a person (including a contractor, a subcontractor, a temporary service firm, or an employee leasing entity) that employs an individual to work at a covered facility or to perform covered services.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6BD1114F7ACC4DAEAED917373588D890"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exclusion</header><text>The term <term>covered employer</term> does not include an individual who privately employs, in the individual’s residence, a person to perform covered services for the individual or a family member of the individual or an individual who receives home and community-based services through a self-directed or participant-directed Medicaid waiver.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H67E42E76B3764138BC9CB586E18C9BF0"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Covered employee</header><text>The term <term>covered employee</term> includes an individual employed by a covered employer to work at a covered facility or to perform covered services.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H18AC7DB8DBBC480899543636A2345FF6"><enum>323.</enum><header>Requirements for Workplace Violence Prevention Standard</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Each standard described in section 321 shall include, at a minimum, the following:</text><paragraph id="H6D69AD1EC99E4FA9A7BB5D870AFA19A5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Workplace violence prevention plan</header><text>Not later than 6 months after the date of promulgation of the interim final standard under section 321(a), or 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act in a case described in section 321(a)(5), a covered employer shall develop, implement, and maintain an effective written workplace violence prevention plan (in this section referred to as the <quote>Plan</quote>) for covered employees at each covered facility and for covered employees performing a covered service on behalf of such employer, which meets the following:</text><subparagraph id="H966963D13D504ED489ABCAE58C70856B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Plan development</header><text>Each Plan—</text><clause id="H09D9A23C62A94093820CE5AF96F6CF5E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall be developed and implemented with the meaningful participation of direct care professionals, other employees, and employee representatives, for all aspects of the Plan;</text></clause><clause id="H94CFCD1BA8C14F82AFAF3202D6005526"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall be tailored and specific to conditions and hazards for the covered facility or the covered service, including patient-specific risk factors and risk factors specific to each work area or unit;</text></clause><clause id="H4EDFB3CA5CDC4B6FAE9E80662D829846"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>shall be suitable for the size, complexity, and type of operations at the covered facility or for the covered service, and remain in effect at all times; and</text></clause><clause id="H093D55765D864F31B0FDDA65609AC846"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>may be in consultation with stakeholders or experts who specialize in workplace violence prevention, emergency response, or other related areas of expertise for all relevant aspects of the Plan.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H908A98690FB14BF48903398CC21F5CC9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Plan content</header><text>Each Plan shall include procedures and methods for the following:</text><clause id="HD2E4ACACE5654382A8F508886E07A819"><enum>(i)</enum><text>Identification of the individual (including the individual’s role with respect to the covered employer) responsible for implementation of the Plan.</text></clause><clause id="H8C1E6D9AA10D43EF88C0062D752EA790"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>With respect to each work area and unit at the covered facility or while covered employees are performing the covered service, risk assessment and identification of workplace violence risks and hazards to employees exposed to such risks and hazards (including environmental risk factors and patient-specific risk factors), which shall be—</text><subclause id="H982A7B11EA0A4258A6FD89B8E2E123D4"><enum>(I)</enum><text>informed by past violent incidents specific to such covered facility or such covered service; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HEB1A17092FAD4F6EA9348F21D882B495"><enum>(II)</enum><text>conducted with, at a minimum—</text><item id="HB96F2CA1945049AFA4012B2DA4C8FA9A"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>direct care professionals;</text></item><item id="H16A7B2CFCC8A4B5AAA02FBBB67E7C888"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>where applicable, the representatives of such workers; and</text></item><item id="HF2C20C56693F4B738295ACA76A950A6B"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>the employer.</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="H2AEE8A1BF2124EECBDB8FE9917156CBF"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Hazard prevention, engineering controls, or work practice controls to correct hazards, in a timely manner, applying industrial hygiene principles of the hierarchy of controls, which—</text><subclause id="H19C9509FC75E4DD2A31D49756ADA0368"><enum>(I)</enum><text>may include security and alarm systems, adequate exit routes, monitoring systems, barrier protection, established areas for patients and clients, lighting, entry procedures, staffing and working in teams, and systems to identify and flag clients with a history of violence; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HD5816ED66D0C422CA2645864478F9340"><enum>(II)</enum><text>shall ensure that employers correct, in a timely manner, hazards identified in any violent incident investigation described in paragraph (2) and any annual report described in paragraph (5).</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H9CFCB24688C447A795530C1D3B3F9681"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Reporting, incident response, and post-incident investigation procedures, including procedures—</text><subclause id="HCD36BF16D26F4E31BE46E0E572E83C1D"><enum>(I)</enum><text>for employees to report workplace violence risks, hazards, and incidents;</text></subclause><subclause id="H33C76D4B72B2493D9623FCC56BFD9643"><enum>(II)</enum><text>for employers to respond to reports of workplace violence;</text></subclause><subclause id="HEE8BEB906E4E4090831C45215669E529"><enum>(III)</enum><text>for employers to perform a post-incident investigation and debriefing of all reports of workplace violence with the participation of employees and their representatives;</text></subclause><subclause id="H0D8DE18572DC46AFA4879E1E40F7E12B"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>to provide medical care or first aid to affected employees; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HA7738B6F3AF44CCDBCFF20F70C960BFA"><enum>(V)</enum><text>to provide employees with information about available trauma and related counseling.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H2F3C27A310CE47ED84612DA027FB5B7E"><enum>(v)</enum><text>Procedures for emergency response, including procedures for threats of mass casualties and procedures for incidents involving a firearm or a dangerous weapon.</text></clause><clause id="HE5B7A76D3F2F47C486B420A1D3E0A7F2"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>Procedures for communicating with and training the covered employees on workplace violence hazards, threats, and work practice controls, the employer’s plan, and procedures for confronting, responding to, and reporting workplace violence threats, incidents, and concerns, and employee rights.</text></clause><clause id="HD78703D5E47548D0AB63A74E603676E6"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>Procedures for—</text><subclause id="H056322C8CE214C6FA789514C6B19C29D"><enum>(I)</enum><text>ensuring the coordination of risk assessment efforts, Plan development, and implementation of the Plan with other employers who have employees who work at the covered facility or who are performing the covered service; and</text></subclause><subclause id="HEA7AD26F00904EA9969123B65AB87BA4"><enum>(II)</enum><text>determining which covered employer or covered employers shall be responsible for implementing and complying with the provisions of the standard applicable to the working conditions over which such employers have control.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H4FFDD02359BF411D9E562F428486A805"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>Procedures for conducting the annual evaluation under paragraph (6).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE7E41F09ED7E4C73B1E0A9135776F964"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Availability of plan</header><text>Each Plan shall be made available at all times to the covered employees who are covered under such Plan.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H3E266EF594AC4B7E96DBC7F678A5214D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Violent incident investigation</header><subparagraph id="H6051B013935741D8B0558423CF8965CF"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>As soon as practicable after a workplace violence incident, risk, or hazard of which a covered employer has knowledge, the employer shall conduct an investigation of such incident, risk, or hazard under which the employer shall—</text><clause id="HDCD34B1F237B42F7A31CBC7E385A1650"><enum>(i)</enum><text>review the circumstances of the incident, risk, or hazard, and whether any controls or measures implemented pursuant to the Plan of the employer were effective; and</text></clause><clause id="H1247A6556BC04E5D9B84E373461DEF54"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>solicit input from involved employees, their representatives, and supervisors about the cause of the incident, risk, or hazard, and whether further corrective measures (including system-level factors) could have prevented the incident, risk, or hazard.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H90C2591999E54F0D868B4FEB95526EA2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Documentation</header><text>A covered employer shall document the findings, recommendations, and corrective measures taken for each investigation conducted under this paragraph.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB858AC411E9E4CB2A5C4BE2CFA76A0BC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Training and education</header><text>With respect to the covered employees covered under a Plan of a covered employer, the employer shall provide training and education to such employees who may be exposed to workplace violence hazards and risks, which meet the following requirements:</text><subparagraph id="HA71589B371124356979AA2D7A6D11657"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Annual training and education shall include information on the Plan, including identified workplace violence hazards, work practice control measures, reporting procedures, recordkeeping requirements, response procedures, anti-retaliation policies, and employee rights.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9A7FD430D31F4962B3CAA5AD2090AAEF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Additional hazard recognition training shall be provided for supervisors and managers to ensure they—</text><clause id="H2A95526C0D0F4329AE4167ACEB52E6AA"><enum>(i)</enum><text>can recognize high-risk situations; and</text></clause><clause id="HBA870BFB86304C10B70A244956193CF2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>do not assign employees to situations that predictably compromise the safety of such employees.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD6BB540F2D8246B69A1EEC00145260E7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Additional training shall be provided for each such covered employee whose job circumstances have changed, within a reasonable timeframe after such change.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H70CBFA3779254C5ABD1B19647250BA40"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Additional training shall be provided for each such covered employee whose job circumstances require working with victims of torture, trafficking, or domestic violence.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2328B46486C94ADBB7CF43A0C2774E35"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Applicable training shall be provided under this paragraph for each new covered employee prior to the employee’s job assignment.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H89CB049DAA3E47DBBD86A083ECB3254E"><enum>(F)</enum><text>All training shall provide such employees opportunities to ask questions, give feedback on training, and request additional instruction, clarification, or other follow-up.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H04BC5FE8DB7C43AFBA044978B77A8E82"><enum>(G)</enum><text>All training shall be provided in-person and by an individual with knowledge of workplace violence prevention and of the Plan, except that any annual training described in subparagraph (A) provided to an employee after the first year such training is provided to such employee may be conducted by live video if in-person training is impracticable.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDA9245CE7FB64B5BB7D0540C190C8964"><enum>(H)</enum><text>All training shall be appropriate in content and vocabulary to the language, educational level, and literacy of such covered employees.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1BF4BF5F5CE04566B5AE2D89EC9F43FA"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Recordkeeping and access to plan records</header><subparagraph id="HFA0BA5F713E9404A9150BD6F5286DCFE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each covered employer shall—</text><clause id="H2ED66040F422476AAA0FA2B180A357B4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>maintain for not less than 5 years—</text><subclause id="H7849CFE234B14EB8BBE02369998A6F7F"><enum>(I)</enum><text>records related to each Plan of the employer, including workplace violence risk and hazard assessments, and identification, evaluation, correction, and training procedures;</text></subclause><subclause id="H227AC1120F6F4E6883E69FD712717945"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a violent incident log described in subparagraph (B) for recording all workplace violence incidents; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H8EB515A64F1D4546884DA50BD30EAA8C"><enum>(III)</enum><text>records of all incident investigations as required under paragraph (2)(B); and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H8307CE81F4974213B4D76D9F08227E28"><enum>(ii)</enum><subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H53999E1A4A6A4D379AF008D3839AF25B"><enum>(I)</enum><text>make such records and logs available, upon request, to covered employees and their representatives for examination and copying in accordance with section 1910.1020 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as such section is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), and in a manner consistent with HIPAA privacy regulations (defined in section 1180(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1320d-9">42 U.S.C. 1320d–9(b)(3)</external-xref>)) and part 2 of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (as such part is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act); and</text></subclause><subclause id="H6C81CDDB87F24A12AB4175856A08EDB2" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>ensure that any such records and logs that may be copied, transmitted electronically, or otherwise removed from the employer’s control for purposes of this clause omit any element of personal identifying information sufficient to allow identification of any patient, resident, client, or other individual alleged to have committed a violent incident (including the individual’s name, address, electronic mail address, telephone number, or social security number, or other information that, alone or in combination with other publicly available information, reveals such individual’s identity).</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF29BFD1B855F4A4CAC6AD9B15904B3D4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Violent incident log description</header><text>Each violent incident log shall—</text><clause id="H270F53D639F244AA86F23F06A5E36176"><enum>(i)</enum><text>be maintained by a covered employer for each covered facility controlled by the employer and for each covered service being performed by a covered employee on behalf of such employer;</text></clause><clause id="HF7810B67DC314A97997C52FA247AB191"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>be based on a template developed by the Secretary not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act;</text></clause><clause id="H4783B1B323AE4EBE897E892713FB58C4"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>include, at a minimum, a description of—</text><subclause id="HD5E4A6EFA4C749B18D06D82CCB9591C9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the violent incident (including environmental risk factors present at the time of the incident);</text></subclause><subclause id="H823D3D47E5A24A56AC8C4540806236FA"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the date, time, and location of the incident, and the names and job titles of involved employees;</text></subclause><subclause id="HED0530608A44443DA716FC7ED2683F8F"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the nature and extent of injuries to covered employees;</text></subclause><subclause id="HA70D6DFFBA014FEEAA33FC753E7820FC"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>a classification of the perpetrator who committed the violence, including whether the perpetrator was—</text><item id="HECDE69D4493C49BB91B96BB98B9699D6"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>a patient, client, resident, or customer of a covered employer;</text></item><item id="H5E855B5815AD44A6B53879FF8FC928C0"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>a family or friend of a patient, client, resident, or customer of a covered employer;</text></item><item id="HE7890D1BB0EA4B4093EC11DEE1EEA48D"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>a stranger;</text></item><item id="H14F4A19F580A483CB47FE54AD9FB21E6"><enum>(dd)</enum><text>a coworker, supervisor, or manager of a covered employee;</text></item><item id="H16995D9B749447ED864F4663D86C10AC"><enum>(ee)</enum><text>a partner, spouse, parent, or relative of a covered employee; or</text></item><item id="HCFE5724D0F604385A16F45BDCF1AF8F5"><enum>(ff)</enum><text>any other appropriate classification;</text></item></subclause><subclause id="H6CB2FCD9D88B4719B88A04FF66E7C992"><enum>(V)</enum><text>the type of violent incident (such as type 1 violence, type 2 violence, type 3 violence, or type 4 violence); and</text></subclause><subclause id="H1D157A6007444AA091884D713EC20B1D"><enum>(VI)</enum><text>how the incident was abated;</text></subclause></clause><clause id="HCA3CEB75C6E3480DB00A1029DCB85CE7"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>not later than 7 days after the employer learns of such incident, contain a record of each violent incident, which is updated to ensure completeness of such record;</text></clause><clause id="HAF89FFA620224A17B999BD39CA3B39A5"><enum>(v)</enum><text>be maintained for not less than 5 years; and</text></clause><clause id="H263AAF0ABD8140C8A3E9667398C1F351"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>in the case of a violent incident involving a privacy concern case, protect the identity of employees in a manner consistent with section 1904.29(b) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as such section is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H3DECCAC67C9E4E10B7B9A061A0CC7198"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Annual summary</header><clause id="HB9834DAC8308499A9AE778148057B688"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Covered employers</header><text>Each covered employer shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an annual summary of each violent incident log for the preceding calendar year that shall—</text><subclause id="HB545D6FECC884A28A45F2592946B8330"><enum>(I)</enum><text>with respect to each covered facility, and each covered service, for which such a log has been maintained, include—</text><item id="H3F58387871D04039BC9AE89922083E51"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>the total number of violent incidents;</text></item><item id="HEE79D8BF47B1452AA3CE5EE277BD059C"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the number of recordable injuries related to such incidents; and</text></item><item id="H185DE82FEA9A49D5B2BA692F7D36A5D0"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>the total number of hours worked by the covered employees for such preceding year;</text></item></subclause><subclause id="H310194C71BA84F8AB03BD55DBFF8F8E8"><enum>(II)</enum><text>be completed on a form provided by the Secretary;</text></subclause><subclause id="HE16953F65DA649E486DC034D1C1823C6"><enum>(III)</enum><text>be posted for 90 days beginning February 1 of each year in a manner consistent with the requirements of part 1904 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as such part is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act), relating to the posting of summaries of injury and illness logs;</text></subclause><subclause id="HE8173F95D16F4FBE985BB1A6CC2D87BB"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>be located in a conspicuous place or places where notices to employees are customarily posted; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H612EBC4E79394BD1953B9AAB7A74A4FD"><enum>(V)</enum><text>not be altered, defaced, or covered by other material.</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H9A45FFBDF7D64FC3B04A1029DF630236"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the promulgation of the interim final standard under section 321(a), or 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act in a case described in section 321(a)(5), the Secretary shall make available a platform for the electronic submission of annual summaries required under this subparagraph.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4C0FBF49EC4F4881A9E5E7526A2AD590"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Annual report</header><subparagraph id="H6A462090D9AA49DBA93CD2B335B7D7EE"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Report to Secretary</header><text>Not later than February 15 of each year, each covered employer shall report to the Secretary, on a form provided by the Secretary, the frequency, quantity, and severity of workplace violence, and any incident response and post-incident investigation (including abatement measures) for the incidents set forth in the annual summary of the violent incident log described in paragraph (4)(C).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF6912C1BE3F64C18B60964B2EB9E112F"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Report to Congress</header><text>Not later than 180 days after February 15 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a summary of the reports received under subparagraph (A). The contents of the summary of the Secretary to Congress shall not disclose any confidential information.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1DD10D1775AE4CB1A7B99F58E8D42407"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Annual evaluation</header><text>Each covered employer shall conduct an annual written evaluation, conducted with the full, active participation of covered employees and employee representatives, of—</text><subparagraph id="HD377788197D64799A8209FC122BE1161"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the implementation and effectiveness of the Plan, including a review of the violent incident log; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0770291A88ED40F78CC1AB15131246BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>compliance with training required by each standard described in section 321, and specified in the Plan.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H08719DFBAED042B6B973284E7A12BDB2"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Plan updates</header><text>Each covered employer shall incorporate changes to the Plan, in a manner consistent with paragraph (1)(A)(i) and based on findings from the most recent annual evaluation conducted under paragraph (6), as appropriate.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7C277F759D3A4067B0AAEE28D8EB6BA7"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Anti-retaliation</header><subparagraph id="H0AD8E359B9CC4B10AEF400444BBAFAC0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Policy</header><text>Each covered employer shall adopt a policy prohibiting any person (including an agent of the employer) from the discrimination or retaliation described in subparagraph (B).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0D1E6D893F49433DBA20C967098B0F7C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>No covered employer shall discriminate or retaliate against any employee for—</text><clause id="H524E62C38C9542CFBD5589C735994FE4"><enum>(i)</enum><text>reporting a workplace violence incident, threat, or concern to, or seeking assistance or intervention with respect to such incident, threat, or concern from, the employer, law enforcement, local emergency services, or a local, State, or Federal government agency; or</text></clause><clause id="H694A6BFCE96341899E4517F31DC9C263"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>exercising any other rights under this section.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF0C9238D9DA747AA8A8B9DB8654C4A3E"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Enforcement</header><text>This paragraph shall be enforced in the same manner and to the same extent as any standard promulgated under section 6(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/655">29 U.S.C. 655(b)</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="H69A8463D18AD4EADBCEFCD7345952196"><enum>324.</enum><header>Rules of construction</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Notwithstanding section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/667">29 U.S.C. 667</external-xref>)—</text><paragraph id="H270C0204467C46F6A0F9BA5A09504C40"><enum>(1)</enum><text>nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to curtail or limit authority of the Secretary under any other provision of the law;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H04621AD9B6144A368A551BACDF55DAAD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the rights, privileges, or remedies of covered employees shall be in addition to the rights, privileges, or remedies provided under any Federal or State law, or any collective bargaining agreement;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF62DB12B3ABC4E8990AD3F578BBFF739"><enum>(3)</enum><text>nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to limit or prevent health care workers, social service workers, and other personnel from reporting violent incidents to appropriate law enforcement; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF386AE70745E498D91FC908CA138C9FE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit or diminish any protections in relevant Federal, State, or local law related to—</text><subparagraph id="HDBBCC846565849CDB5CC8E91EDB37C08"><enum>(A)</enum><text>domestic violence;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA33318E3F402453B8FD0AB4B1F720945"><enum>(B)</enum><text>stalking;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD061792852E74BAA90EF97187EB42348"><enum>(C)</enum><text>dating violence; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCD80745DF3F34382A8B5E7CEB40855AD"><enum>(D)</enum><text>sexual assault.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="HEA87EBC7DB7D46A7B4AECBFCB9EC050C"><enum>325.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle:</text><paragraph id="HBF2A412BD84C479387EAD11C8C6AC8D3" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Alarm</header><text>The term <term>alarm</term> means a mechanical, electrical, or electronic device that does not rely upon an employee’s vocalization in order to alert others.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3A1AB9DE588E4F4A918385987D9D063C" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Dangerous weapon</header><text>The term <term>dangerous weapon</term> means an instrument capable of inflicting death or serious bodily injury, without regard to whether such instrument was designed for that purpose.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0FA8101AF4794C6EA592D210C785D8FB" commented="no"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Engineering controls</header><subparagraph id="HB95261FE49534AACB516174F0B0A07C1" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>engineering controls</term> means an aspect of the built space or a device that removes a hazard from the workplace or creates a barrier between a covered employee and the hazard.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1BDE8B0BF7594415B0CA83C2DA012588" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>For purposes of reducing workplace violence hazards, the term <term>engineering controls</term> includes electronic access controls to employee occupied areas, weapon detectors (installed or handheld), enclosed workstations with shatter-resistant glass, deep service counters, separate rooms or areas for high-risk patients, locks on doors, removing access to or securing items that could be used as weapons, furniture affixed to the floor, opaque glass in patient rooms (which protects privacy, but allows the health care provider to see where the patient is before entering the room), closed-circuit television monitoring and video recording, sight-aids, and personal alarm devices.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4F141EA24056433F8D29BB578C280247" commented="no"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Environmental risk factors</header><subparagraph id="H609F2D123A5647C9A88F5B74FE4350EB" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>environmental risk factors</term> means factors in the covered facility or area in which a covered service is performed that may contribute to the likelihood or severity of a workplace violence incident.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA6B894E1B62448C8AE88A6A7E60F0508" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Clarification</header><text>Environmental risk factors may be associated with the specific task being performed or the work area, such as working in an isolated area, poor illumination or blocked visibility, and lack of physical barriers between individuals and persons at risk of committing workplace violence.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H280CCE9BADC544728428D2551EE148B8" commented="no"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Patient-specific risk factors</header><text>The term <term>patient-specific risk factors</term> means factors specific to a patient that may increase the likelihood or severity of a workplace violence incident, including—</text><subparagraph id="H87CE601A27F94F228D4C64D4BA9B9FE6" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a patient’s treatment and medication status, and history of violence and use of drugs or alcohol; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7BDFD7235FF44510B229474FEDE76FD9" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any conditions or disease processes of the patient that may cause the patient to experience confusion or disorientation, be nonresponsive to instruction, behave unpredictably, or engage in disruptive, threatening, or violent behavior.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8617E60D87714095ADBF7BC6AECB1E3C" commented="no"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Labor.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF6C4E1F4D64449F7B4BC0263060B4932" commented="no"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Threat of violence</header><text>The term <term>threat of violence</term> means a statement or conduct that—</text><subparagraph id="H55128598ECBD4349932F865EF0FEC820" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>causes an individual to fear for such individual’s safety because there is a reasonable possibility the individual might be physically injured; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H16E8FB2DB1D748B79AF3F9A2CE85BBA8" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(B)</enum><text>serves no legitimate purpose. </text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD1E0190630BF4E68A77EED3E6D9DAA29" commented="no"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Type 1 violence</header><text>The term <term>type 1 violence</term>—</text><subparagraph id="H805FFC84037E4C6EB9660178CF9A0300" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><text>means workplace violence directed at a covered employee at a covered facility or while performing a covered service by an individual who has no legitimate business at the covered facility or with respect to such covered service; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9821B4A67FD440F19B681B51388190CC" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><text>includes violent acts by any individual who enters the covered facility or worksite where a covered service is being performed with the intent to commit a crime.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H25D68435239E4A4B8D450C51BDC5D8EC" commented="no"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Type 2 violence</header><text>The term <term>type 2 violence</term> means workplace violence directed at a covered employee by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any individual for whom a covered facility provides services or for whom the employee performs covered services.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9177BF8CB52C47359BD759B50C43A8D5" commented="no"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Type 3 violence</header><text>The term <term>type 3 violence</term> means workplace violence directed at a covered employee by a present or former employee, supervisor, or manager.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H93A3ACA83DBE4D41B17C093CACE8462C" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Type 4 violence</header><text>The term <term>type 4 violence</term> means workplace violence directed at a covered employee by an individual who is not an employee, but has or is known to have had a personal relationship with such employee, or with a customer, client, patient, student, inmate, or any individual for whom a covered facility provides services or for whom the employee performs covered services. </text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7447A96318DA4D318587813F84AFA50B" commented="no"><enum>(12)</enum><header>Work practice controls</header><subparagraph id="H3109B7F0F8B74BAF9F179B94C6A283FC" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>work practice controls</term> means procedures and rules that are used to effectively reduce workplace violence hazards.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF156BE792E68483EA2267E9EC7CF19A8" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The term <term>work practice controls</term> includes—</text><clause id="HA41836746FC34629B770199AB7283D38" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>assigning and placing sufficient numbers of staff to reduce patient-specific type 2 violence hazards;</text></clause><clause id="H21CFD297B399475381D5D3FE067D597F" commented="no"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provision of dedicated and available safety personnel such as security guards;</text></clause><clause id="H14FAB35E473C47CFA267BF7A9F7D8499" commented="no"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>employee training on workplace violence prevention methods and techniques to de-escalate and minimize violent behavior; and</text></clause><clause id="HD5929FC9B84B407C91BE57908183F68E" commented="no"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>employee training on procedures for response in the event of a workplace violence incident and for post-incident response.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF2D2561AAAE548BF9AFA7FE6F818C210" commented="no"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Workplace violence</header><subparagraph id="H0B3A5BF786154F51A95B25C7E7968125" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>workplace violence</term> means any act of violence or threat of violence, without regard to intent, that occurs at a covered facility or while a covered employee performs a covered service.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7E22ADEF71F6496988971C0BD7C9933F" commented="no"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exclusions</header><text>The term <term>workplace violence</term> does not include lawful acts of self-defense or lawful acts of defense of others.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H63BA51406B0447069F99EF02FA0A26E6" commented="no"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Inclusions</header><text>The term <term>workplace violence</term> includes—</text><clause id="H6141931B3C074131973C22C49ECF236B" commented="no"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the threat or use of physical force against a covered employee that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, psychological trauma, or stress, without regard to whether the covered employee sustains an injury, psychological trauma, or stress; and</text></clause><clause id="HFD26A0F814E24E6B91F972260B40522F" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an incident involving the threat or use of a firearm or a dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, without regard to whether the employee sustains an injury, psychological trauma, or stress. </text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="HA8527F69CDD64C70BB5701E9587DB6C2"><enum>326.</enum><header>Application of the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard to certain facilities receiving Medicare funds</header><subsection id="H927E3ECFB6E4462F9D93BE4D4866A04E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Section 1866 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1395cc">42 U.S.C. 1395cc</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H74FA59A156A24A9CB04A3EB2145E384D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (a)(1)—</text><subparagraph id="HA31B4878974F4E0BB59ECEAB191E61D5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph (X), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCEFEBFBB34634816ACD40C07BD1FCC36"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (Y), by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>, and</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB02A7181A83C4868AD63C5894A25ACDF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting after subparagraph (Y) the following new subparagraph:</text><quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H5EB62C1CF1DA4655BD7ABD4C6F751104"><subparagraph id="H3D0119F8BD884DD5838A803657738989"><enum>(Z)</enum><text>in the case of hospitals that are not otherwise subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (or a State occupational safety and health plan that is approved under section 18(b) of such Act) and skilled nursing facilities that are not otherwise subject to such Act (or such a State occupational safety and health plan), to comply with the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard (as promulgated under section 321 of the <short-title>Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act</short-title>).</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H700F67ECEE3146AB8952E976E430AC2D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (b)(4)—</text><subparagraph id="H3E1FC4CE09034B39B419C6109FBA5C5A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph (A), by inserting <quote>and a hospital or skilled nursing facility that fails to comply with the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(Z) (relating to the Workplace Violence Prevention Standard)</quote> after <quote>Bloodborne Pathogens standard)</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5DBC637FB0004F2E9701DFCE3CF6A43A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)—</text><clause id="H6500CFDD1F1445D1A03823B8A461619D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking <quote>(a)(1)(U)</quote> and inserting <quote>(a)(1)(V)</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="H99B6EDBD2CCE4C88AD002316B6BF96A3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>by inserting <quote>(or, in the case of a failure to comply with the requirement of subsection (a)(1)(Z), for a violation of the Workplace Violence Prevention standard referred to in such subsection by a hospital or skilled nursing facility, as applicable, that is subject to the provisions of such Act)</quote> before the period at the end.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H60E48E1BF2524603B4E57265ACAB6158"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective date</header><text>The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply beginning on the date that is 1 year after the date of issuance of the interim final standard on workplace violence prevention required under section 321.</text></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="H83D9B3A4819D4D2A81C8D87C177DB1CF"><enum>D</enum><header>Improving access to job benefits</header><section id="HC006639184B6429C8DC9A24679F7B219"><enum>331.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this subtitle:</text><paragraph id="H17CCCA7F6FD54A27BCA7F847026AC498"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Child</header><text>The term <term>child</term> means a biological, foster, or adopted child, a stepchild, a child of a domestic partner, a legal ward, or a child of a person standing in loco parentis.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H206944FB28D7409B94244DA7290ABCD7"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Commerce; industry or activity affecting commerce</header><text>The terms <term>commerce</term> and <term>industry or activity affecting commerce</term> mean any activity, business, or industry in commerce or in which a labor dispute would hinder or obstruct commerce or the free flow of commerce, and include <quote>commerce</quote> and any <quote>industry affecting commerce</quote>, as defined in paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 501 of the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (29 U.S.C. 142 (1) and (3)).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H39F229B5772244649497AFF3DB74B1F8"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Covered direct care professional</header><text>The term <term>covered direct care professional</term> means an employee who is employed as a direct care professional by an employer.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF6893ADB312944D5AA7BCF60C17C1B5F"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Domestic violence</header><text>The term <term>domestic violence</term> has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/34/12291">34 U.S.C. 12291(a)</external-xref>), except that the reference in such section to the term <term>jurisdiction receiving grant funding</term> shall be deemed to mean the jurisdiction in which the victim lives or the jurisdiction in which the employer involved is located. Such term also includes dating violence, as that term is defined in such section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H22958D4730D94C23BB2F0512F1BCD14E"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Employee</header><text>The term <term>employee</term> means an individual who is an employee, as defined in section 3(e) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/203">29 U.S.C. 203(e)</external-xref>), except that a reference in such section to an employer shall be considered to be a reference to an employer described in paragraph (6).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1FEFF23DA22D44FA95A84A881E03E6FD"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Employer</header><subparagraph id="HE07EB3AD6C36426F8377197E7E60E30F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The term <term>employer</term>—</text><clause id="H763200D1D7984ED490B2B2E172800676"><enum>(i)</enum><text>means a person who is engaged in commerce or in any industry or activity affecting commerce who employs 1 or more employees;</text></clause><clause id="HFAE79BAFFEF34F839E2BE3120900709B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>includes—</text><subclause id="H324109DC19E4468B8CE31903AE2EC95A"><enum>(I)</enum><text>any person who acts, directly or indirectly, in the interest of an employer to any of the employees of such employer; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H3CEB6A9A546445D9B420861BAB1FFA08"><enum>(II)</enum><text>any successor in interest of such an employer; and</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H66A672967E2747848786E10C22DE050A"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>does not include any public agency.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H47B5368298844B05BE8E68E5963C9F27"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>For purposes of this subparagraph:</text><clause id="H29AC0AA47D2141649B89A7F112BD5E1D"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Employee</header><text>The term <term>employee</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/203">29 U.S.C. 203</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="H19C5755FD1D746B9830FDDD31A1C72BB"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Person</header><text>The term <term>person</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/203">29 U.S.C. 203</external-xref>).</text></clause><clause id="H2EDE9B7B08C942728D543420ECEB57FE"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Public agency</header><text>The term <term>public agency</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/203">29 U.S.C. 203</external-xref>).</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE6B3559B044548F5AD49E6374B4024EA"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Predecessors</header><text>Any reference in this paragraph to an employer shall include a reference to any predecessor of such employer.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HEA8AD01BD1BC4270996E4E367887D1B0"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Employment benefits</header><text>The term <term>employment benefits</term> means all benefits provided or made available to employees by an employer, including group life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, sick leave, annual leave, educational benefits, and pensions, regardless of whether such benefits are provided by a practice or written policy of an employer or through an <quote>employee benefit plan</quote>, as defined in section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/1002">29 U.S.C. 1002(3)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H30CC9BAEC1AF47BABF545C5966A41B06"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Health care provider</header><text>The term <term>health care provider</term> means a provider who—</text><subparagraph id="H6805F622D77E4457A14D371C14E8D09A"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H8B8426E2BE4B414090F880CC2EDD387B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy who is authorized to practice medicine or surgery (as appropriate) by the State in which the doctor practices; or</text></clause><clause id="H6880489383B346F49B49EC8E16B26AA4" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>is any other person determined by the Secretary to be capable of providing health care services; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HECC92F56369742CE98E7C16CBDED5F5B"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is not employed by an employer for whom the provider issues certification under this subtitle.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H667DB7CD8FF24B8EB4F78898117E2A98"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Paid sick time</header><text>The term <term>paid sick time</term> means an increment of compensated leave that—</text><subparagraph id="H0EDEE3F43F5C4A25827B1C53787F7940"><enum>(A)</enum><text>can be—</text><clause id="HD0BB02898DD54803AC41C608226F1CA6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>earned by an employee for use during an absence from employment for a reason described in any paragraph of section 332(b); or</text></clause><clause id="H32285038BB984C27BB52C66AC4FC597F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>provided by an employer during a public health emergency for use during an absence from employment for a reason described in any paragraph of section 332(b); and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H385432359BE64805B3E228EB9620212C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is compensated at a rate that is not less than the greatest of—</text><clause id="H70CDA0A2F8F8484588FDC12A4659E265"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the employee’s regular rate of pay;</text></clause><clause id="H06F32982D8104FDFBD908D37E9544028"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the wage rate described in section 6(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/206">29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)</external-xref>); or</text></clause><clause id="H25BAE31CC05D4E04AAEE73770ACE036D"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the minimum wage rate provided for in the applicable State or local law for the State or locality in which the employee is employed.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H5E5BC3DAB8D147A2AB5914296252A05E"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Parent</header><text>The term <term>parent</term> means a biological, foster, or adoptive parent of an employee, a stepparent of an employee, parent-in-law, parent of a domestic partner, or a legal guardian or other person who stood in loco parentis to an employee when the employee was a child.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB00A3B1F142941A99643C08408E933B2"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Public health emergency</header><text>The term <term>public health emergency</term> means a public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for a jurisdiction, or by a State public health official with authority to declare such an emergency for the State or jurisdiction within the State.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H79445801490E41B997024B5D475E1B90"><enum>(12)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Labor.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDA9E5B077FB442578BA7F058D8AF64E0"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Sexual assault</header><text>The term <term>sexual assault</term> has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/34/12291">34 U.S.C. 12291(a)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H63F318C36A3B4E26936639A6FCC6B719"><enum>(14)</enum><header>Spouse</header><text>The term <term>spouse</term>, with respect to an employee, has the meaning given such term by the marriage laws of the State in which the marriage was celebrated.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HDF595070882A429396256A7EDF2595F0"><enum>(15)</enum><header>Stalking</header><text>The term <term>stalking</term> has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/34/12291">34 U.S.C. 12291(a)</external-xref>).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE9447A1DCECF49E1BD9721A311F28D1B"><enum>(16)</enum><header>Victim services organization</header><text>The term <term>victim services organization</term> means a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that provides assistance to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking or advocates for such victims, including a rape crisis center, an organization carrying out a domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking prevention or treatment program, an organization operating a shelter or providing counseling services, or a legal services organization or other organization providing assistance through the legal process.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H56E4BD3030AF41F38049A939A8C068C3"><enum>332.</enum><header>Paid sick time</header><subsection id="H10D7FD7909BF4BFD8BEB01817CE7C22A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Earning of paid sick time</header><paragraph id="HE5E7053624B54C21B410570EABF45FCD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subsection (c), an employer shall provide each covered direct care professional employed by the employer not less than 1 hour of earned paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, to be used as described in subsection (b). An employer shall not be required to permit a covered direct care professional to earn, under this subsection, more than 56 hours of paid sick time in a year, unless the employer chooses to set a higher limit.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7CE57FC0539A4DA0B52078F4C3035549"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Exempt covered direct care professionals</header><subparagraph id="HED752EF00F3845A9978B85DA0A1CDB21"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for purposes of this subsection, a covered direct care professional who is exempt from overtime requirements under section 13(a)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/213">29 U.S.C. 213(a)(1)</external-xref>) shall be deemed to work 40 hours in each workweek.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7EDB98E267684432A53FBC0AF95BDD2D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Shorter normal workweek</header><text>If the normal workweek of such a covered direct care professional is less than 40 hours, the covered direct care professional shall earn paid sick time under this subsection based upon that normal workweek.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC87EB690C6C140A8B26D4BEB5F17F0BB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Dates for beginning to earn paid sick time and use</header><subparagraph id="H5924D2AD102F444CB843C46DB1BC4EEF"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and the second sentence of paragraph (8), covered direct care professionals shall begin to earn paid sick time under this section at the commencement of their employment. Except as provided in such subparagraph and such sentence, a covered direct care professional shall be entitled to use the earned paid sick time beginning on the 60th calendar day following commencement of the covered direct care professional’s employment. After that 60th calendar day, the covered direct care professional may use the paid sick time as the time is earned. An employer may, at the discretion of the employer, loan paid sick time to a covered direct care professional for use by such covered direct care professional in advance of the covered direct care professional earning such sick time as provided in this section and may permit use before the 60th day of employment.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEE4DAB6A82514A93A5EBCF528B5031FE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Public health emergency</header><text>Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to additional paid sick time provided under subsection (c). In the event of a public health emergency, a covered direct care professional may immediately use the additional or accrued paid sick time described in subsection (c), regardless of how long the covered direct care professional has been employed by an employer.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD059563A79A14E82AEDE431DDECEBB1A"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Carryover</header><subparagraph id="HF5AE2265582A47C38B79EC2C4B071BE3"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), paid sick time earned under this section shall carry over from 1 year to the next.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6E46AE2CE27049518882865F6D61C02C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Except as provided in subsection (c), this subtitle shall not be construed to require an employer to permit a covered direct care professional to earn more than 56 hours of earned paid sick time at a given time.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H5A2D8B0C30CC4C7AB6903CD72601ED30"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Employers with existing policies</header><text>Any employer with a paid leave policy who makes available an amount of paid leave that is sufficient to meet the requirements of this section and that may be used for the same purposes and under the same conditions as the purposes and conditions described in this section shall not be required to permit a covered direct care professional to earn additional paid sick time under this section.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8E7781F160F8409DAA59FFFE8255B552"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring financial or other reimbursement to a covered direct care professional from an employer upon the covered direct care professional’s termination, resignation, retirement, or other separation from employment for earned paid sick time that has not been used.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1C352096CECA471CB64199A7E54974A9"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Reinstatement</header><text>If a covered direct care professional is separated from employment with an employer and is rehired, within 12 months after that separation, by the same employer, the employer shall reinstate the covered direct care professional’s previously earned paid sick time. The covered direct care professional shall be entitled to use the earned paid sick time and earn additional paid sick time at the recommencement of employment with the employer.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB5F3E66EF53B4426B8F61A56D7D92EA6"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Prohibition</header><text>An employer may not require, as a condition of providing paid sick time under this subtitle, that the covered direct care professional involved search for or find a replacement to cover the hours during which the covered direct care professional is using paid sick time.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H19F9006EF2BC44E6BA1A509B73B83D59"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Uses</header><text>Paid sick time earned under this section may be used by a covered direct care professional for any of the following:</text><paragraph id="HA5C4A4DB72DF4B5199D4C6D9B5529A5B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>An absence resulting from a physical or mental illness, injury, or medical condition of the covered direct care professional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H466C5B53D48F4A8CB88AE53A1377E00C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>An absence resulting from obtaining professional medical diagnosis or care, or preventive medical care, for the covered direct care professional.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB79ED639AD6942DAA86EF2CDDA101251"><enum>(3)</enum><text>An absence resulting from the closure of a covered direct care professional’s place of employment by order of a Federal or State public official with jurisdiction, or at the employer’s discretion, due to a public health emergency.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H70DE16FF5D644157B1DA4F465DACA1DE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>An absence because a Federal or State public official with jurisdiction or a health care provider has determined that the covered direct care professional’s presence in the community may jeopardize the health of others because of the covered direct care professional’s exposure to a communicable disease during a public health emergency, regardless of whether the covered direct care professional has actually contracted the communicable disease.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC332C605197646868030D6DD8C3029D6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>An absence for the purpose of caring for a child, a parent, a spouse, a domestic partner, or any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the covered direct care professional is the equivalent of a family relationship—</text><subparagraph id="H9D4936E2E7634545ACBBC53836A65BF7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who is a child, if the child’s school or place of care has been closed by order of a Federal or State public official with jurisdiction or at the discretion of the school or place of care due to a public health emergency, including if a school or entity operating the place of care is physically closed but is providing education or care to the child remotely; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD18B1A4E92774794B5D8B932019E7F71"><enum>(B)</enum><text>because a Federal or State public official with jurisdiction or a health care provider has determined that the presence in the community of the person receiving care may jeopardize the health of others because of the person’s exposure to a communicable disease during a public health emergency, regardless of whether the person has actually contracted the communicable disease.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE1B9C466E85B4EAF9E721E2E545D57EE"><enum>(6)</enum><text>An absence for the purpose of caring for a child, a parent, a spouse, a domestic partner, or any other individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the covered direct care professional is the equivalent of a family relationship—</text><subparagraph id="H2F06C93E2D8545EAA56E9DA15B79B556"><enum>(A)</enum><text>who has any of the conditions or needs for diagnosis or care described in paragraph (1) or (2);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H64C27208596E4CDE8DBD16797FBF2698"><enum>(B)</enum><text>who is a child, if the covered direct care professional is required to attend a school meeting or a meeting at a place where the child is receiving care necessitated by the child’s health condition or disability; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H91E7998D6D754537808ADD462296C871"><enum>(C)</enum><text>who is otherwise in need of care.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H60906B723A6C455C966BFC55182028C9"><enum>(7)</enum><text>An absence resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, if the time is to—</text><subparagraph id="HD117661AAFDE46C984F9ABE40AFF78E1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>seek medical attention for the covered direct care professional or the covered direct care professional’s child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or an individual related to the covered direct care professional as described in paragraph (6), to recover from physical or psychological injury or disability caused by domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE889529435554CBC903CEDEBD80AE79A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>obtain or assist a related person described in paragraph (6) in obtaining services from a victim services organization;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1CB26688F21346238D1B81CAEBA71302"><enum>(C)</enum><text>obtain or assist a related person described in paragraph (6) in obtaining psychological or other counseling;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4706C6EA9306474A9C64876173095C2A"><enum>(D)</enum><text>seek relocation; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4D4A939E13EA4D6B8CE083B78C99E58D"><enum>(E)</enum><text>take legal action, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H51915359494C426C98B55808324B5078"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional paid sick time for public health emergency</header><paragraph id="HAE8990D219BE41E1AA4308AFA8DBBC8A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Additional paid sick time</header><text>On the date of a declaration of a public health emergency by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/247d">42 U.S.C. 247d</external-xref>) or a major disaster or emergency declared by the President under section 401 or 501, respectively, of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/5170">42 U.S.C. 5170</external-xref>, 5191), an employer in the jurisdiction involved shall provide each covered direct care professional of the employer in that jurisdiction with additional paid sick time, in addition to any amount of paid sick time accrued by the covered direct care professional under subsection (a) (including paid leave referred to in subsection (a)(4)).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H5F5F9002F99B404B9B12C82E9DC7AD6A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Amount of paid sick time</header><text>In receiving additional paid sick time under paragraph (1), the covered direct care professional shall receive—</text><subparagraph id="HA1BF407736AF441D9D08504CB9890AF4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for a full-time salaried covered direct care professional, a specified amount of paid sick time that is sufficient to provide the covered direct care professional with 14 continuous days away from work without a reduction in pay; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4DAE577E796A4CDEB805CF2CA8D5F103"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for a part-time or hourly covered direct care professional, a specified amount of paid sick time equal to the number of hours that the covered direct care professional was scheduled to work or, if not so scheduled, regularly works in a 14-day period.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HA32BD08E6A8E436CA77EEF9A18F68857"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Use of leave</header><text>The additional sick time and accrued sick time described in this subsection shall be available for immediate use by the covered direct care professional for the purposes described in any paragraph of subsection (b) beginning on the date a public health emergency is declared, regardless of how long the covered direct care professional has been employed by an employer.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H884DFC16876F4F93BFC3C13E440995CE"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Sequencing</header><text>During the public health emergency, a covered direct care professional may first use the additional sick time for those purposes. The covered direct care professional may then use the accrued sick time during the public health emergency, or retain the accrued sick time for use after the public health emergency. An employer may not require a covered direct care professional to use the accrued sick time, or any other paid leave provided by the employer to the covered direct care professional, before using the additional sick time.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H544E7E2943D1453B88075B9884307B49"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Periods</header><text>A covered direct care professional may take the additional sick time on the schedule that meets the covered direct care professional’s needs, consistent with subsection (b), including taking the additional sick time intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule, and an employer may not require a covered direct care professional to take the additional sick time in a single period or on any other schedule specified by the employer.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H531C9EDC21454326A7BA6D8F7D653FFA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Scheduling</header><text>A covered direct care professional shall make a reasonable effort to schedule a period of paid sick time under subsection (a) in a manner that does not unduly disrupt the operations of the employer.</text></subsection><subsection id="HF74894697B244EFBB26A5AFDE3922064"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Procedures</header><paragraph id="HF0A8A04904F449189E296C4D6907FF76"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Paid sick time shall be provided upon the oral or written request of a covered direct care professional. Such request shall—</text><subparagraph id="HE21F1DC972B34A8AB76F64F7D9E35F08"><enum>(A)</enum><text>include the expected duration of the period of such time; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFE315BD246BC46FF8EC9E736AD0D70AC"><enum>(B)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H3CDF116ECCE74163AD9A7B9FECADFFAD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>in a case in which the need for such period of time is foreseeable at least 7 days in advance of such period, be provided at least 7 days in advance of such period; and</text></clause><clause indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC90762ECAE964690A2BEB718D9DD4F37"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>otherwise, be provided as soon as practicable after the covered direct care professional is aware of the need for such period.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6B8BB20BB0C24F89B82598833BAC6673"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Certification in general</header><subparagraph id="H34F35EF4DE034014995B4FA1EDA093F5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Provision</header><clause id="H26B2717D6D3D41CF89B64B3D118DC816"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), an employer may require that a request for paid sick time under this section for a purpose described in paragraph (1), (2), or (6) of subsection (b) be supported by a certification issued by the health care provider of the covered direct care professional or of an individual described in subsection (b)(6), as appropriate, if the period of such time covers more than 3 consecutive workdays.</text></clause><clause id="HED2E65E1970B49C285AC996EE55DB0AD"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Timeliness</header><text>The covered direct care professional shall provide a copy of such certification to the employer in a timely manner, not later than 30 days after the first day of the period of time. The employer shall not delay the commencement of the period of time on the basis that the employer has not yet received the certification.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD80E0DDF1A254E349F49D374900FDA09"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Sufficient certification</header><clause id="H932E01BD44054D99A6D28B135935BC80"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text>A certification provided under subparagraph (A) shall be sufficient if it states—</text><subclause id="H341ABF0D4D804A3E872C4EA26FC40513"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the date on which the period of time will be needed;</text></subclause><subclause id="HF9550A656A4F49ED8BEF5C8173C4532C"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the probable duration of the period of time;</text></subclause><subclause id="H00AF08F545DA4695AA248A7248E2BB8A"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the appropriate medical facts within the knowledge of the health care provider regarding the condition involved, subject to clause (ii); and</text></subclause><subclause id="HE10F23DB685F4090A535DD6DFE4696F0"><enum>(IV)</enum><item commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HF19F8914D518417C94802198251E9FF5"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>for purposes of paid sick time under subsection (b)(1), a statement that absence from work is medically necessary;</text></item><item indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H444BA7B6ABA54DD7A24C5F59FD64D5DA"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>for purposes of such time under subsection (b)(2), the dates on which testing for a medical diagnosis or care is expected to be given and the duration of such testing or care; and</text></item><item indent="up1" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H9CF07ED43450461A850499FE51E1A7E2"><enum>(cc)</enum><text>for purposes of such time under subsection (b)(6), in the case of time to care for someone who is not a child, a statement that care is needed for an individual described in such subsection, and an estimate of the amount of time that such care is needed for such individual.</text></item></subclause></clause><clause id="HD5DA8590513E44ECB8FD7E3C5BCA56DC"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>In issuing a certification under subparagraph (A), a health care provider shall make reasonable efforts to limit the medical facts described in clause (i)(III) that are disclosed in the certification to the minimum necessary to establish a need for the covered direct care professional to use paid sick time.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9E63307F2DBD4E71A22DB2BF4551B91F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Public health emergencies</header><text>No certification or other documentation may be required under this subtitle by an employer during any public health emergency.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDAC374A005444D7181B10C48B09B9EA8"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>Regulations prescribed under section 339 shall specify the manner in which a covered direct care professional who does not have health insurance shall provide a certification for purposes of this paragraph.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0CD4BC3F429A4CE0B6D28C38621AE30E"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Confidentiality and nondisclosure</header><clause id="H42D6A44BC0294F29A2467EEBD95E7FFB"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Protected health information</header><text>Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to require a health care provider to disclose information in violation of section 1177 of the Social Security Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1320d-6">42 U.S.C. 1320d–6</external-xref>) or the regulations promulgated pursuant to section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1320d-2">42 U.S.C. 1320d–2</external-xref> note).</text></clause><clause id="H1E06830F43734F4886953DCFCE728299"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Health information records</header><text>If an employer possesses health information about a covered direct care professional, a covered direct care professional’s child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, or an individual related to the covered direct care professional as described in subsection (b)(6), such information shall—</text><subclause id="H35B836CCBB0C4E96AEE49D992DEF5265"><enum>(I)</enum><text>be maintained on a separate form and in a separate file from other personnel information;</text></subclause><subclause id="H27AB48CAD57E4DD4AB079A0F9CF8ADFE"><enum>(II)</enum><text>be treated as a confidential medical record; and</text></subclause><subclause id="H0EA9BD233242425198BD1F760AC9B755"><enum>(III)</enum><text>not be disclosed except to the affected covered direct care professional or with the permission of the affected covered direct care professional.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H21A6829DBAA24937AC4ED16B2044E4E4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Certification in the case of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking</header><subparagraph id="HFCBE4C7E4AE4472B80CD4402C23D5874"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An employer may require that a request for paid sick time under this section for a purpose described in subsection (b)(7) be supported by any one of the following:</text><clause id="H058B8954B7FF4DF0B7874FB0545FED2F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>A police report indicating that the covered direct care professional, or a member of the covered direct care professional’s family described in subsection (b)(7), was a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.</text></clause><clause id="H46953881A6D4434CAD7F5BD3934F7665"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>A court order protecting or separating the covered direct care professional or a member of the covered direct care professional’s family described in subsection (b)(7) from the perpetrator of an act of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or other evidence from the court or prosecuting attorney that the covered direct care professional or a member of the covered direct care professional’s family described in subsection (b)(7) has appeared in court or is scheduled to appear in court in a proceeding related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.</text></clause><clause id="HEE831026D9FF42CDAB0ECDD924CFCD71"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Other documentation signed by a covered direct care professional or volunteer working for a victim services organization, an attorney, a police officer, a medical professional, a social worker, an antiviolence counselor, or a member of the clergy, affirming that the covered direct care professional or a member of the covered direct care professional’s family described in subsection (b)(7) is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0BD7E38F383D44C582C4B03BE5D2EE80"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>The requirements of paragraph (2) shall apply to certifications under this paragraph, except that—</text><clause id="H36F823E8759740BCAA092A3377571146"><enum>(i)</enum><text>subclauses (III) and (IV) of subparagraph (B)(i) and subparagraph (B)(ii) of such paragraph shall not apply;</text></clause><clause id="H6D424598C3DF4798B13ABC1BA588591F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the certification shall state the reason that the leave is required with the facts to be disclosed limited to the minimum necessary to establish a need for the covered direct care professional to be absent from work, and the covered direct care professional shall not be required to explain the details of the domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking involved; and</text></clause><clause id="H700C79893E5E4F939F854D1A7F5611FB"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>with respect to confidentiality under subparagraph (E) of such paragraph, any information provided to the employer under this paragraph shall be confidential, except to the extent that any disclosure of such information is—</text><subclause id="HB93FF65D70884BB181EE17A8D5E0F284"><enum>(I)</enum><text>requested or consented to in writing by the covered direct care professional; or</text></subclause><subclause id="H6E7D6B343A85420FA10486B5CA272757"><enum>(II)</enum><text>otherwise required by applicable Federal or State law.</text></subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H01F7CDCF91B44E8C802C54DE5A173655"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Specification of documentation</header><text>An employer may not specify which of the forms of documentation described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of subparagraph (A) is required to be provided in order to satisfy the requirement under such subparagraph.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H63590336E1D94FE1879B4A2CE2BD10B5"><enum>333.</enum><header>Notice requirement</header><subsection id="H3DAD0270E86B47E39A5B1E3263388E00"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Each employer shall notify each covered direct care professional employed by the employer and include in any employee handbook the information—</text><paragraph id="HFCAE5A69EE7246F98E6F7BBEABF2E269"><enum>(1)</enum><text>describing paid sick time available to covered direct care professionals under this subtitle;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H5A176B000226438D8664A56A9CB39133"><enum>(2)</enum><text>pertaining to the filing of an action under this subtitle;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA5A82893EF0D4B9C902FB27E5453FBE0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>on the details of the notice requirement for a foreseeable period of time under section 332(e)(1)(B)(i); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H601A9B5E9E0A4D809B68B7DF803EC7EC"><enum>(4)</enum><text>that describes—</text><subparagraph id="HC064F20D3D3A44968FA7CCEEE8371427"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the protections that a covered direct care professional has in exercising rights under this subtitle; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5D1B8944D5FE42D08FFDD19E5CC8DC37"><enum>(B)</enum><text>how the covered direct care professional can contact the Secretary if any of the rights are violated.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCE7040C1750B4D529BF0B68291497002"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Posting of notice</header><text>Each employer shall post and keep posted a notice, to be prepared or approved in accordance with procedures specified in regulations prescribed under section 339, setting forth excerpts from, or summaries of, the pertinent provisions of this subtitle including the information described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a).</text></subsection><subsection id="H56423418DF1A43DCA50C0C639407B009"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Location</header><text>The notice described under subsection (b) shall be posted—</text><paragraph id="H005159A6819E4106841B9AB6ED8086EB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in conspicuous places on the premises of the employer, where notices to employees (including applicants) are customarily posted; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC3260D8984584A0A9D94497A1AF6513A"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in employee handbooks.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HD17C98B24514419A8B8DE1C289ACA192"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Violation; penalty</header><text>Any employer who willfully violates the posting requirements of this section shall be subject to a civil fine in an amount not to exceed $100 for each separate offense.</text></subsection></section><section id="HA1CDA206E90A4EE399E7E34EEA08A37D"><enum>334.</enum><header>Prohibited acts</header><subsection id="HA5B0FC35530A4D6DB429884D94425CDD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Interference with rights</header><paragraph id="HA30E95F92BD948E18954E713842BDF99"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Exercise of rights</header><text>It shall be unlawful for any employer to interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right provided under this subtitle, including—</text><subparagraph id="H2D5A4E895CBA4F2FBC3E082E47727CCE"><enum>(A)</enum><text>discharging or discriminating against (including retaliating against) any individual, including a job applicant, for exercising, or attempting to exercise, any right provided under this subtitle;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB4BE9FE149D04B07B3293A6EA74F2A27"><enum>(B)</enum><text>using the taking of paid sick time under this subtitle as a negative factor in an employment action, such as hiring, promotion, reducing hours or number of shifts, or a disciplinary action; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H90E757E80CC3445F97D744EB37B7378F"><enum>(C)</enum><text>counting the paid sick time under a no-fault attendance policy or any other absence-control policy.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HF2828B4D52CC46628D7F29A5B0666DE6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Discrimination</header><text>It shall be unlawful for any employer to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against (including retaliating against) any individual, including a job applicant, for opposing any practice made unlawful by this subtitle.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H154FB7CF8B8D415994B877F273948F31"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Interference with proceedings or inquiries</header><text>It shall be unlawful for any person to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against (including retaliating against) any individual, including a job applicant, because such individual—</text><paragraph id="HB574920BEFDB46259E64173C30891E64"><enum>(1)</enum><text>has filed an action, or has instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this subtitle;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0D2C59D314C24CF8B5A0B53117BEB871"><enum>(2)</enum><text>has given, or is about to give, any information in connection with any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this subtitle; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H13B14BFEA71242E09633EAD439154401"><enum>(3)</enum><text>has testified, or is about to testify, in any inquiry or proceeding relating to any right provided under this subtitle.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA3FD6A6CEBF44E5FB31915DF975ADD79"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Construction</header><text>Nothing in this section shall be construed to state or imply that the scope of the activities prohibited by section 105 of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/2615">29 U.S.C. 2615</external-xref>) is less than the scope of the activities prohibited by this section.</text></subsection></section><section id="HAA50B964B37040E0BB0A0915075C5D81"><enum>335.</enum><header>Enforcement authority</header><subsection id="HC0EBE9ECC725484691B3E4FCD42E4DA9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Investigative authority</header><paragraph id="H36A84D790B264F8F8310B6A30B140CF3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>To ensure compliance with the provisions of this subtitle, or any regulation or order issued under this subtitle, the Secretary shall have, subject to paragraph (3), the investigative authority provided under section 11(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/211">29 U.S.C. 211(a)</external-xref>), with respect to employers, covered direct care professionals, and other individuals affected by an employer.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H54BCC4EF42C3446E9E5F7032AEDA11E0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Obligation to keep and preserve records</header><text>An employer shall make, keep, and preserve records pertaining to compliance with this subtitle in accordance with section 11(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/211">29 U.S.C. 211(c)</external-xref>) and in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC2BE3170457044389A345558F61D664A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Required submissions generally limited to an annual basis</header><text>The Secretary shall not require, under the authority of this subsection, an employer to submit to the Secretary any books or records more than once during any 12-month period, unless the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe there may exist a violation of this subtitle or any regulation or order issued pursuant to this subtitle, or is investigating a charge pursuant to subsection (c).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB25C0BFA75114EFBA0FEB94668E331D3"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Subpoena authority</header><text>For the purposes of any investigation provided for in this subsection, the Secretary shall have the subpoena authority provided for under section 9 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/29/209">29 U.S.C. 209</external-xref>).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H0D838F78493B474A81864B018C370732"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Civil action by covered direct care professionals or individuals</header><paragraph id="HA63F98D7646E429F9F849DD198DC6A80"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Right of action</header><text>An action to recover the damages or equitable relief prescribed in paragraph (1) may be maintained against any employer in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction by a covered direct care professional or individual or a representative for and on behalf of—</text><subparagraph id="H189947B85A914A20A3493A1FB68D274A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the covered direct care professional or individual; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBA43F7DBC95640848596672F29BEE431"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the covered direct care professional or individual and others similarly situated.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H26093054C3FA4C9680341C964782577D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Liability</header><text>Any employer who violates section 334 (including a violation relating to rights provided under section 332) shall be liable to any covered direct care professional or individual affected—</text><subparagraph id="H410001F8E2F3423692871D7681FA3782"><enum>(A)</enum><text>for damages equal to—</text><clause id="H78D59E1986354E8A9FBA78FD74A0B256"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the amount of—</text><subclause id="H9B3B8CCD59F54A8DB64D393BF6B03001"><enum>(I)</enum><text>any wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation denied or lost by reason of the violation; or</text></subclause><subclause id="HF2C702E84B6E472CA82CC674BF839B7A"><enum>(II)</enum><text>in a case in which wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation have not been denied or lost, any actual monetary losses sustained as a direct result of the violation up to a sum equal to 56 hours of wages or salary for the covered direct care professional or individual, or the specified period described in section 332(c)(3), or a combination of those hours and that period, as the case may be;</text></subclause></clause><clause id="H519BCED408FA495688273E54D433BAB4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the interest on the amount described in clause (i) calculated at the prevailing rate; and</text></clause><clause id="H1C2C84649611461DAEFC02B18B55630C"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>an additional amount as liquidated damages; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H92B066D667F94A4BB9BECFFF328831EC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>for such equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement, and promotion.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H20FD96DC2D3B49DCA0D190C4F6D673B1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Fees and costs</header><text>The court in an action under this subsection shall, in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow a reasonable attorney’s fee, reasonable expert witness fees, and other costs of the action to be paid by the defendant.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H345CF514D8B54F5F980508E64DD78697"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Action by the Secretary</header><paragraph id="H92798A7D5D3F435B95EB5AA2ABF41EC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administrative action</header><text>The Secretary shall receive, investigate, and attempt to resolve complaints of violations of section 334 (including a violation relating to rights provided under section 332) in the same manner that the Secretary receives, investigates, and attempts to resolve complaints of violations of sections 6 and 7 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206 and 207).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFF93E740F497474D93E7465FAA60EC09"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Civil action</header><text>The Secretary may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the damages described in subsection (b)(2)(A).</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA73A569FF8094B65AD571F52156D7BEA"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Sums recovered</header><text>Any sums recovered by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be held in a special deposit account and shall be paid, on order of the Secretary, directly to each covered direct care professional or individual affected. Any such sums not paid to a covered direct care professional or individual affected because of inability to do so within a period of 3 years shall be deposited into the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5F28525E766849EDAEA1696D964E5A0E"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Limitation</header><paragraph id="H4D812801F20046EBB99F09C0FF3E985A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in paragraph (2), an action may be brought under subsection (b), (c), or (e) not later than 2 years after the date of the last event constituting the alleged violation for which the action is brought.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8E1D3B01A99B45279C52378E3D59C105"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Willful violation</header><text>In the case of an action brought for a willful violation of section 334 (including a willful violation relating to rights provided under section 332), such action may be brought not later than 3 years after the last event constituting the alleged violation for which such action is brought.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8106235C80594E09BE8D0AED85F99CF4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Commencement</header><text>In determining when an action is commenced under subsection (b), (c), or (e) for the purposes of this subsection, it shall be considered to be commenced on the date when the complaint is filed.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4A3FD85DF1B9452B944B69085C1A1733"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Action for injunction by Secretary</header><text>The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction, for cause shown, in an action brought by the Secretary—</text><paragraph id="HE5D54060EA45407AB7118B609D456B2A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to restrain violations of section 334 (including a violation relating to rights provided under section 332), including the restraint of any withholding of payment of wages, salary, employment benefits, or other compensation, plus interest, found by the court to be due to covered direct care professionals or individuals eligible under this subtitle; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H98AFECED852C4A2AA5A77EFDD0E1D0FD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to award such other equitable relief as may be appropriate, including employment, reinstatement, and promotion.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HB27A39F9EDD64C06ABFA89BF8737EE8B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Solicitor of labor</header><text>The Solicitor of Labor may appear for and represent the Secretary on any litigation brought under subsection (c) or (e).</text></subsection></section><section id="H235092D0242E42BDAAB3011CA50A8F61"><enum>336.</enum><header>Education and outreach</header><subsection id="HE69C0822C4F54B90B969155EB04D7271"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary may conduct a public awareness campaign to educate and inform the public of the requirements for paid sick time required by this subtitle.</text></subsection><subsection id="HDABE209AC2E74D6192EA14CDC14F9ED7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $20,000,000 to carry out such campaign.</text></subsection></section><section id="H14A3E47B33A54EEF8FE7291639EDE1DC"><enum>337.</enum><header>Effect on existing employment benefits</header><subsection id="H6B9E9DDAF0694A00BA8AE6288E581A04"><enum>(a)</enum><header>More protective</header><text>Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed to diminish the obligation of an employer to comply with any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or any employment benefit program or plan that provides greater paid sick leave or other leave rights to covered direct care professionals or individuals than the rights established under this subtitle.</text></subsection><subsection id="H8141B334B30F427583790C1DFD05583F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Less protective</header><text>The rights established for covered direct care professionals under this subtitle shall not be diminished by any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or any employment benefit program or plan.</text></subsection></section><section id="HA35E29F5DA064AB780D1F31DA746B0BD"><enum>338.</enum><header>Encouragement of more generous leave policies</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed—</text><paragraph id="H65ABA87903BD4C17B2C3D23883377DEB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to discourage employers from adopting or retaining leave policies more generous than policies that comply with the requirements of this subtitle; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE5B01CF5C7924D26852352B464B0633C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to discourage or prevent an employer from adopting a contract, collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefit program or plan that provides greater right or benefits to covered direct care professionals than the rights established under this subtitle.</text></paragraph></section><section id="H3C4D1CDE7B0D4B0BAF13EE85D0A1B279"><enum>339.</enum><header>Regulations</header><subsection id="H61282128BF844C1AACF7330FBB54A92A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Subject to subsection (b), not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this subtitle.</text></subsection><subsection id="HF0A17CA31F71425DBAA7DBF1A3A2DA37"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Immediate compliance</header><text>The rights and responsibilities specified in this subtitle shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and employers and other persons subject to those responsibilities shall comply immediately, without regard whether regulations have been prescribed under this section.</text></subsection></section><section id="H9A9E20E406CA4426B103CB1CFEDBD78B"><enum>339A.</enum><header>Effective date</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If a public health emergency was declared before and remains in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, for purposes of this subtitle, including section 332(c), the public health emergency shall be considered to have been declared on the date of enactment of this Act.</text></section><section id="HA42AFA707DB64042A601D4AF17676382"><enum>339B.</enum><header>Collection of data and further study</header><subsection id="H5570E1FD3E1A4178A13DA6B7B02B720D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Compilation of information</header><text>The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall—</text><paragraph id="H49503F6E422545AD856C4955EE39E843"><enum>(1)</enum><text>collect data on—</text><subparagraph id="H8726ADB33167451C8C1375CD2A61A222"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount of paid and unpaid sick time available to covered direct care professionals by occupation and type of employment establishment; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC61033441F244C188E1ED766D5BAD2E0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>an estimate of the average sick time used by covered direct care professionals according to occupation and the type of covered direct care professional; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H1FCA8F16A9614806B394C4F635630DFC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>annually report that data to the Comptroller General of the United States.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9831C25AC4DD4826A3418B2CCD333EEB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>GAO study</header><text>The Comptroller General of the United States shall—</text><paragraph id="H34CB2FBE400F4559A6A4D000C3EAA6C0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct a study to evaluate the implementation of this subtitle—</text><subparagraph id="H66A50B46E2844F28BA0D2629572388B0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>that includes an estimation of the access of covered direct care professionals to paid sick time, the awareness of covered direct care professionals of rights under this Act, and the experiences of employers in complying with this subtitle; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7F9399D822D042CD9D29F0D3212DBEE2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>that takes into account access, awareness, and experiences of covered direct care professionals by race, ethnicity, gender, disability, occupation, and any other characteristic determined by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC2F4EEAF02AD4D0893BAC03DE5F5BECF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit the report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Special Committee on Aging of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives.</text></paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><enum>IV</enum><header>National Direct Care Professional Compensation Strategy</header><section id="HB22FD40E8365459CAFEE55E2C9BEB964"><enum>401.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text><paragraph id="H43F4EDB0709C4D588B41E4B19852C42E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Advisory Council</header><text>The term <term>Advisory Council</term> means the National Direct Care Professional Compensation Advisory Council convened under section 403.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H874D3395CAA3454698EF8A331A9A03C4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0FF17275947E4A7FB16610E57C4B98C7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Strategy</header><text>The term <term>Strategy</term> means the National Direct Care Professional Compensation Strategy set forth under section 402.</text></paragraph></section><section id="HAE9C35C8AD8A425A9A7D55A980C3DC44"><enum>402.</enum><header>National Direct Care Professional Compensation Strategy</header><subsection id="H33A059D09F034D579786D67012D3D67E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, shall develop jointly with the Advisory Council and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and the State agencies responsible for carrying out direct care professional programs, and make publicly available on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a National Direct Care Professional Compensation Strategy.</text></subsection><subsection id="HD312F748C54E403A8A10DF8906768A54"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><paragraph id="H2824FA562A7749A6A62F9CD7293B3A8C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Strategy shall identify recommended actions that the Federal Government (under existing Federal programs), State and local governments, communities, health care providers, including direct care professionals and others, are taking, or may take, to provide direct care professionals a livable wage, including recommendations on—</text><subparagraph id="H43B8D607611940C6B4123137BB23924C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>how to calculate the fair cost of labor provided by direct care professionals;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB20187E6980A4079889F0196D0AFF873"><enum>(B)</enum><text>how State Medicaid agencies, managed care organizations, and other public payers should establish policies and procedures to ensure the direct care professional workforce is compensated at the full cost of their labor;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H30C02B073B454B2ABEFBFB7C3177A695"><enum>(C)</enum><text>how to set clear expectations for employers of direct care professionals with respect to compensation for such professionals; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H63565D2A6AFC401A942B714B8811BCB2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>how to ensure additional training and certification is tied to increased compensation for such professionals.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HFA4D0AE454A1483B89BAE7CB7630664B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>The recommendations under paragraph (1) shall take into account—</text><subparagraph id="H3C8A038EBF3D46DEB19324FEB7110BA5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the particular challenges of the direct care professional workforce, including—</text><clause id="H859DA22732D14D0AA13FD4FEBF7B1BB2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the largely part-time nature of the work;</text></clause><clause id="HB0DB6793E71743CC9603EFB95CB176DF"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the mobile or transient nature of positions in the direct care professional workforce;</text></clause><clause id="H4667D1F6B51A4EFBB606B382B29A7760"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>precarity due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and immigration status; and</text></clause><clause id="H48275A867DE148F1B5551E11AECB17DB"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>any decrease in public benefits that direct care professionals may experience following an increase in wages; and</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6C17A1E4E45848C296D9F659AAE0C9F3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>strategies for wage enhancement for direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HFBA474D4F7CD4B4FB70BEDBBD434259C"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties of the Secretary</header><text>The Secretary, in carrying out subsection (a), shall oversee the following:</text><paragraph id="H046B3D26B6E04B1FB492B15F3D00FD98"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Collecting and making publicly available information submitted by the Advisory Council under section 403(e) to the appropriate committees of Congress, and the State agencies responsible for carrying out direct care professional programs, including evidence-based or promising practices and innovative models (both domestic and foreign) regarding compensation for direct care professionals.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HD196E82869CE4F58B807FF64826594A7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Coordinating and assessing existing Federal Government programs and activities to compensate direct care professionals while ensuring maximum effectiveness and avoiding unnecessary duplication.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H01D3A4AFDE1E4000A4F968039BBCB439"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Providing technical assistance, as appropriate, such as disseminating identified best practices and information sharing based on reports provided under section 403(e), to State or local efforts to compensate direct care professionals.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H14C6A1A88CDF4CD8BF2E07571146EB15"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Initial strategy; updates</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text><paragraph id="H9992B45A9DC54B4382B6E9C6F5F57172"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, develop, publish, and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, and the State agencies responsible for carrying out direct care professional programs, an initial Strategy incorporating the items addressed in the Advisory Council’s initial report under section 403(e) and other relevant information, including best practices, for compensating direct care professionals; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8231A2C420244190B8A9EC0EC5AE55FD"><enum>(2)</enum><text>biennially update, republish, and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress and the State agencies responsible for carrying out direct care professional programs the Strategy, taking into account the most recent annual report submitted under section 403(e)(1)—</text><subparagraph id="HC4045A6158BE48F88611DDA9C07F0318"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to reflect new developments, challenges, opportunities, and solutions; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBD176E9832094E93B034AEBABBAA4ACC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to review progress based on recommendations for compensating direct care professionals in the Strategy and, based on the results of such review, recommend priority actions for improving the implementation of such recommendations, as appropriate.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H2F551645E0E3408DBD9CCBFCC0300980"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Process for public input</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a process for public input to inform the development of, and updates to, the Strategy, including a process for the public to submit recommendations to the Advisory Council and an opportunity for public comment on the proposed Strategy.</text></subsection><subsection id="H50E4D91ECBCD453A884518652C194611"><enum>(f)</enum><header>No preemption</header><text>Nothing in this title preempts any authority of a State or local government to compensate direct care professionals.</text></subsection><subsection id="HD1C454FD73B14D33936A55D55D765618"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Rule of construction</header><text>Nothing in this title shall be construed to permit the Secretary (through regulation, guidance, grant criteria, or otherwise) to—</text><paragraph id="H0CE7D07173C9407F96C68F41889F4433"><enum>(1)</enum><text>mandate, direct, or control the allocation of State or local resources;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H3980AC9973044B15A5E360DEFAB4D472"><enum>(2)</enum><text>mandate the use of any of the best practices identified in the reports required under this title; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H87BB579368D8461199DD93697D1F7A73"><enum>(3)</enum><text>otherwise expand the authority of the Secretary beyond that expressly provided to the Secretary in this title.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCA0B7EEAAA39401DB13C041E4B8D8613"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated for the advisory committee $100,000 for each of years 2025 through 2029.</text></subsection></section><section id="H321DF13E1BEA46029C0AB8D410A9E44A"><enum>403.</enum><header>National Direct Care Professional Compensation Advisory Council</header><subsection id="H0884029F3E1D44EBB11EF3690ACEB95C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Convening</header><text>The Secretary shall convene a National Direct Care Professional Compensation Advisory Council to advise and provide recommendations, including identified best practices, to the Secretary on compensating direct care professionals.</text></subsection><subsection id="HAAE0AF05A741450B9B37D3FAA1F8A864"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header><paragraph id="HA80F7A555532464F90F93865D801C8BD"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The members of the Advisory Council shall consist of—</text><subparagraph id="H84EFC4E316554B6FB4302E28C8109024"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the appointed members under paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0FEEC374FC5F443E8BD0DA44FFC43431"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Federal members under paragraph (3).</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H95DDE5E34458493493C0BA3830AC66EA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Appointed members</header><text>In addition to the Federal members under paragraph (3), the Secretary shall appoint not more than 15 voting members of the Advisory Council who are not representatives of Federal departments or agencies and who shall include at least 1 representative of each of the following:</text><subparagraph id="H06692C37DC8649ABB54F89884C75F9BD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4CDF4C7E6E41437D8EABD6A5B9BCB3E2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Older individuals eligible for long-term care services under a State Medicaid program.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1DFEDA777F4747CDAB1B3BC397F6E36D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>People with disabilities.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H124C87FA0CF94DC39378492AC289A172"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Health care and social service providers.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC27513762B3D4F2EA18CA064B56C832A"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Employers of direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H557CC48C535D4C8CA105649DCA6A0A61"><enum>(F)</enum><text>State and local officials responsible for direct care professional policies in their jurisdictions.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H0D7FCA3FAE3E41E9B0E207F5D9AA288A"><enum>(G)</enum><text>Accreditation bodies responsible for accrediting direct care professionals.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H01A61CA6E45D483FA796D942A43C2217"><enum>(H)</enum><text>Veterans who are older individuals or people with disabilities.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H685AF3C181B642A1BE622F33BE48C847"><enum>(I)</enum><text>Organizations representing workers, including labor organizations.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H46B42C1EBF644E7DBAEB95BAFAABCD65"><enum>(J)</enum><text>As appropriate, other experts in direct care and advocacy organizations for the direct care professional workforce.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H85CEB478F02B402E99E43FAB02DE9FC0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Federal members</header><text>The Federal members of the Advisory Council, who shall be nonvoting members, shall consist of the following:</text><subparagraph id="H339C8E4262704B79BCC479F1BFE72C3A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (or the Administrator’s designee).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA76EBEAD6352493AAB8F59854A04A674"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living (or the Administrator’s designee who has experience in both aging and disability).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2F920D0B11DF4D2F879169BD3E650183"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (or the Secretary’s designee).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE339A7727DBC4F62823C93499CE81695"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The Secretary of Labor (or the Secretary’s designee).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD3985A5F4E764D0682BEF02553BF5208"><enum>(E)</enum><text>The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (or the Administrator’s designee).</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7D1D9598BC65451EB837EEC7AA0D7827"><enum>(F)</enum><text>The heads of other Federal departments or agencies (or their designees), including relevant departments or agencies that oversee labor and workforce, economic, government financial policies, community service, and other impacted populations, as appointed by the Secretary or the Chair of the Advisory Council.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HC3CE8C0F35AE48669295F4E218592D10"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Diverse representation</header><text>The Secretary shall ensure that the membership of the Advisory Council reflects the diversity of direct care professionals and individuals eligible for long-term care services under a State Medicaid program.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H996B121E27F549D2A570B5F889CF56D0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Advisory Council shall meet quarterly during the 1-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and at least 3 times during each year thereafter. Meetings of the Advisory Council shall be open to the public.</text></subsection><subsection id="H363F1CCFE7D24648848EEABE7E6597F3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Non-Federal member compensation</header><paragraph id="H441048E8991B4BBB88B467BE15E63650"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compensation of members</header><text>A member of the Advisory Council who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7E3B58099D5E48DCBDE9366258B175DA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Travel expenses</header><text>A member of the Advisory Council who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/57">chapter 57</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Commission.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H54828340384E4766BE946093194CA9F5"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Child care</header><text>A member of the Advisory Council who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be permitted expenses for child care during the period for which they are required to meet with the Advisory Council or travel to and from meetings of the Advisory Council.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA3960739BF3B4AC7856C2FD9B6F58C90"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Technology support</header><text>A member of the Advisory Council who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be permitted expenses for technology necessary to participate in activities of the Advisory Council.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H36ADB747885E485F836DEF8C54AC5907"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Advisory Council annual reports</header><paragraph id="H5363B3FE4CA4408E8D462FDED1CD23F3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Advisory Council shall submit to the Secretary, the appropriate committees of Congress, and the State agencies responsible for carrying out direct care professional programs, and make publicly available on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report concerning the development, maintenance, and updating of the Strategy, including a description of the outcomes of the recommendations and any priorities included in the initial report pursuant to paragraph (2), as appropriate.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H54638A77DBC345428E8BD2562CFB9426"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial report</header><text>The Advisory Council’s initial report under paragraph (1) shall include—</text><subparagraph id="H434B35900B0344A28C358FFD48FFF812"><enum>(A)</enum><text>an inventory and assessment of all federally funded efforts to compensate direct care professionals and the outcomes of such efforts, including analyses of the extent to which federally funded efforts are reaching direct care professionals and gaps in such efforts;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7D20AE123D93464A8C36FA0696AB867A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>recommendations—</text><clause id="H92860CB95AF24035A7E16A7A1FF7881C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to improve and better coordinate Federal programs and activities to compensate direct care professionals, as well as opportunities to improve the coordination of such Federal programs and activities with State programs; and</text></clause><clause id="HE894D79701B142F2AED4A2F6B5E252F7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to effectively deliver services based on the performance, mission, and purpose of a program while eliminating redundancies, avoiding unnecessary duplication and overlap, and ensuring the needs of direct care professionals are met;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H55B2192F761C470F87032317953364FD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the identification of challenges faced by direct care professionals, including financial, health, and other challenges, and existing approaches to address such challenges; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA62EA03947DF412A95DDBD948DF042B7"><enum>(D)</enum><text>an evaluation of how the status of the direct care professional workforce affects the Medicare program, the Medicaid program, and other Federal programs.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5F9B9F4D24904FEEBB5E1CEC1019AE9C"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act</header><text><external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/10">Chapter 10</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Advisory Council.</text></subsection></section><section id="H17C83D3B79B5432FA119100CC8A1E3B1"><enum>404.</enum><header>Sunset provision</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The authority and obligations established by this title shall terminate on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></section><enum>V</enum><header>Improving oversight and accountability</header><section id="H0C2F77240F2E4746BA2CCEE2887583C6"><enum>501.</enum><header>Evaluation of implementation and outcomes</header><subsection id="HD5088C81D47842A99DA330D921430A3E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this Act in the aggregate through a contract with an external evaluator who has experience in evaluating—</text><paragraph id="H9023D72637A14E8D88A57AE856469936"><enum>(1)</enum><text>home and community-based services;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H00310D58B6A04D71A75D0E4F366EB1F9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>disability programs;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF02E1F7D3DC54C28AA6174BF7533A95C"><enum>(3)</enum><text>programs for older individuals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H64FDA70E054C4462916DD5E46F5797F1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>nursing homes and intermediate care facilities; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H51BE02D55AA34448A4538494ACBA3E6D"><enum>(5)</enum><text>health care workforce programs, including direct care professional workforce programs.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5EEE748A8D4C4E6780690F8EE20225EC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Evaluation criteria</header><text>The external evaluator shall document and evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, including outcomes based on—</text><paragraph id="H4853C3FF207F4ECCB06D44AEE021A92B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the impact on workforce creation, training, education, recruitment, retention, professional development, and advancement of the direct care professional workforce, including direct care professionals from low-income families;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HB17D10710A6244B1AFF2DC5E1E749ED3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the economic effects, including the impact on compensation and benefits, on the direct care professional workforce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HA730062B10B949B9BE6260356A3F9907"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the impact on working conditions, including scheduling flexibility and stability, for direct care professionals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H0B94375C125D4DF78ADBD5AA74D9B3B5"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the impact of workforce investment activities, including supportive services, on recruitment, wages, benefits, and advancement of direct care professionals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7C253346416346BBA88E0394725FE3B0"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the impact on burnout, attrition, and stability of the direct care professional workforce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6C15131329FA4F0E8913D4693DF5034E"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the impact on vacancy rates and crude separation rates of the direct care professional workforce;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H700275D8C7D84043934FCFB53DBE0131"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the economic effects on—</text><subparagraph id="H35CB1CB45D194D078417EC000F9D003A"><enum>(A)</enum><text>individuals enrolled for medical assistance under a State Medicaid program;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD26C9BA6C62C494083289D520D4E45DE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>people with disabilities and older individuals receiving long-term care services, including home and community-based services; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H435FB8DB5DD14E85873883D88FC31B8D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the families of any such individuals or persons described in subparagraph (A) or (B);</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H8B2D97F0D7294672A2CC01D04CCCF142"><enum>(8)</enum><text>the impact on the capacity of States to ensure the delivery of long-term care services and on the costs to the Medicare and Medicaid programs;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HBE6FFAB8888F47B19C1DA2E625866D09"><enum>(9)</enum><text>the capacity of the direct care professional workforce to provide services for individuals needing long-term care services or changes in access, availability, and quality of long-term care services;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCDBBA35985C640DCA02DC45DF203DD20"><enum>(10)</enum><text>the impact on State waiting lists for home and community-based services;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1542C4BE085A4134B42FEBF3E2A53800"><enum>(11)</enum><text>the impact on mental health outcomes, including substance use disorders and suicidality, among direct care professionals;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HFBFC6690E1A4490AA8F070C02DC7F9B8"><enum>(12)</enum><text>promising practices identified by activities authorized or conducted pursuant to this Act, or the amendments made by this Act; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H471C8DD79DB24CEC890E51F3323C1EDF"><enum>(13)</enum><text>any other factor as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H73A20C9C12A344848BE2E33BB1EEBEB3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Fiscal analysis</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Secretary of Labor, shall contract with an independent external evaluator to track spending by States and providers of funding provided to States under sections 101 and 102 (including the amendments made by such sections). The evaluator shall—</text><paragraph id="H1ADB3BECE839466098250A0FA0B991A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>collect spending data from each State receiving funds under such sections;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HE17B976E3E3947ECA4962CF520045B3B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>analyze the data to determine what percentage of funding under such sections was expended to improve wages and benefits of direct care professionals, disaggregated by subcategories of direct care professionals described in section 3(11);</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9AE0D473093A494F9BCAF17D7DC3CDC2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>beginning 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter through fiscal year 2039—</text><subparagraph id="H6D97F1832C62408D8472BAB163524B34"><enum>(A)</enum><text>publish an annual report of State spending and the analyses conducted under paragraph (2); and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6BE8E1ECCC0145A79196F348DAB9F973"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provide all such reports to the appropriate committees of Congress; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HAF9C10C0AA364565B848041C9A13B122"><enum>(4)</enum><text>share the data described in paragraph (1) with researchers to encourage further analysis.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1B1C24D9E993474CAB19D12663FB1AA4"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Dissemination of evaluation findings</header><text>The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall—</text><paragraph id="HC401E58DF1FE447495819B3E48C6EBA4"><enum>(1)</enum><text>disseminate the findings from the evaluations conducted under this section, and from any other evaluation conducted under this Act or an amendment made by this Act, to—</text><subparagraph id="H58D4E8D9B63D4F3D9DDD9632E9587FF9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>all State Medicaid agencies; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HCF9381DD4A0E45B1A8F41CF4BD55E4A7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the appropriate committees of Congress; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE18059E7FB464D37A714E574C955648A" commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make all such findings publicly available in an accessible electronic format and any other accessible format determined appropriate by the Secretary. </text></paragraph></subsection></section>