MARYLAND HOME CARE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: January - April 2023

 
 

For the first time ever, Care Comes First Maryland took action to pass legislation that would improve conditions for home care workers. We signed petitions, we traveled to Annapolis to testify in front of our elected officials, we made phone calls, and had meetings with our representatives. And while our 3 bills unfortunately did not pass this year, WE ARE NOT STOPPING THE FIGHT.

We are going to start working with the Department of Health and Department of Labor to get their support on all 3 bills and see if they are able to implement some of the changes we want to see. Caring Across Maryland will continue to build our community support and put pressure on the Senate finance chair Senator Griffith, who prevented the bills from moving forward. We will be scheduling a meeting with her in the summer and holding a "in-the-day of a home care worker" event for legislators to attend.

That said, many OTHER bills we supported did pass this session and are reason to CELEBRATE! The bills we supported that passed are:

  • Fair Wage Act (HB549/SB555) raises the state’s minimum wage to $15/hour by Jan. 1, 2023

  • Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Modifications (SB 828) will ensure Maryland's Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program is implemented equitably

  • Family Prosperity Act expands the eligibility criteria for the child and dependent care tax credit

  • A Reproductive Freedom package also passed the protects every person’s right to control their own reproductive functions. This bill protects the right to use contraception and to continue or terminate pregnancy

Legislation to provide emergency rental assistance, prevent eviction, allow immigrant health care workers to obtain licenses, protect access to reproductive healthcare, expand Maryland Medicaid, and allow young adults to access healthcare coverage also passed. The Governor will sign these bills by May 3rd. 

We’ve done an incredible job building POWER for Maryland home care workers - and this is JUST the beginning. Stay tuned for more actions!