S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   10940
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                               May 29, 2018
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by M. of A. LUPARDO -- read once and referred to the Commit-
   tee on Labor
 
 AN ACT directing the commissioner of labor to  conduct  a  labor  market
   study  and establishing a temporary labor task force for home care and
   hospice services and occupations in New York State; and providing  for
   the repeal of certain provisions upon the expiration thereof

   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The commissioner of labor and the  commissioner  of  health
 shall  jointly  undertake a market study to examine and make recommenda-
 tions  regarding  competitive  labor  market   factors,   reimbursement,
 programs and other state policy actions necessary to support recruitment
 and  retention  of  the  home care and hospice workforce in the broader,
 competitive health labor market.
   Such study shall examine differentials in compensation,  benefits  and
 other employment factors in home care and hospice in comparison to other
 health care and employment markets which compete for the same workforce,
 including  but  not limited to hospitals and nursing facilities, and for
 comparable disciplines  which  include  direct  care  aides,  registered
 professional  nurses,  licensed  practical  nurses, physical therapists,
 occupational therapists, speech pathologists,  social  workers,  respir-
 atory therapists, audiologists and other health care practitioners which
 the  commissioner  of  labor  in  consultation  with the commissioner of
 health shall determine.
   In conducting such study and preparing  recommendations,  the  commis-
 sioners  shall  seek  the input of representatives of the aforementioned
 providers and health care personnel, managed care plans, statewide asso-
 ciations representative of  providers  and  workforce,  the  center  for
 health  workforce  studies  of the state university of New York, and the
 New York state area health education centers program.
   On or before November 1, 2018, the commissioner of labor shall  report
 jointly  with the commissioner of health to the governor and legislature
 on  the  results  of  such  study,  together  with  recommendations  for
 reimbursement,  programs  and  policy modifications to support home care
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD15849-01-8

 A. 10940                            2
 
 and hospice competitive positions for recruitment  and  retention  of  a
 direct  care  health  labor workforce in the broader health labor market
 capable of meeting community need.
   §  2.  The commissioner of labor, in consultation with the director of
 the office for aging and the  commissioners  of  health,  education  and
 mental  health,  or  their  agency designees, shall form a task force to
 establish and implement a statewide home  care  and  hospice  workforce,
 labor development and marketing program to encourage occupational inter-
 est  and  participation  in these essential fields to meet the community
 need for these vital services.
   The task force shall examine the spectrum  of  possible  entry  points
 into  the  home  care  and  hospice fields, including but not limited to
 entry points in secondary schools, occupational  schools  and  programs,
 community  colleges,  four  year colleges and universities, professional
 schools of nursing, social work and other health care  disciplines,  and
 retiree venues.
   The  task  force  shall  develop  and  implement,  with jurisdictional
 contributions from each state agency member, a comprehensive  plan  that
 provides  information  about  entry,  practice,  career development, and
 occupational need and value in home care and hospice.   Such plan  shall
 also  assist educational settings and providers with informational mate-
 rials and resources to further this goal, including but not limited  to:
 written  and  multimedia  material,  web based resources, public service
 announcements, home care/hospice emphasis at local job fairs,  billboard
 and  other  community advertisement, engagement of area health education
 centers, support  for  provider  recruitment  and  training,  state  and
 regional conferencing, and other means.
   The  task  force  shall be co-chaired by the commissioner of labor and
 the director of the state office for aging, or their  agency  designees.
 The  task  force  shall convene not later than sixty days after this act
 shall have become law, and shall meet no less frequently than bi-monthly
 for the first year. The task force shall submit an interim report to the
 governor and legislature on its activities and recommendations not later
 than six months after it convenes. In conducting  the  task  force,  the
 co-chairs shall seek the input of representatives of home care, hospice,
 managed  care  plans,  area  health  education  centers, and direct care
 disciplines.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately, provided that section two
 of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed on and after January 31,
 2021.