Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act

Overtime Protections: Live-in domestic employees would receive overtime protections through the repeal of certain exclusions in the Fair labor standards act. (Sec. 101)

Termination Security: Live-in employees would receive written notice of termination and either lodging for 30 days or severance pay equivalent to two weeks of average earnings. (Sec. 102)

Communication Access: Employers requiring live-in service must provide reasonable access to telephone and internet services without charge. (Sec. 102)

Clear Employment Terms: Employers must provide written agreements in plain language that detail pay rates, work schedules, and responsibilities. (Sec. 110)

Paid Sick Leave: Employees can earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked to use for medical needs, caregiving, or issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. (Sec. 111)

Scheduling Predictability: Employers are required to provide notice of scheduled work hours and must pay employees for canceled or reduced hours according to specific rules. (Sec. 112)

Personal Flexibility: Employees have the right to request and receive temporary changes to their scheduled work hours due to personal events. (Sec. 113)

Privacy Protections: The bill prohibits employers from monitoring employees while they use restrooms, in private living quarters, or while changing clothes. (Sec. 114)

Meal and Rest Breaks: The bill mandates uninterrupted 30-minute meal breaks after five hours of work and 10-minute rest breaks for every four hours worked. (Sec. 115)

Wage Protection: Employers are prohibited from deducting wages for cash shortages or breakage of equipment/belongings. (Sec. 116)

Protection from Discrimination: The bill extends civil rights protections against employment discrimination to certain domestic employees. (Sec. 131)

Protection Against Retaliation: It becomes unlawful to retaliate against employees for exercising their rights under this Act or engaging in collective bargaining. (Sec. 117)

Expanded Labor Protections: Domestic employees gain specific rights including overtime requirements, minimum wage considerations, and the right to meal and rest breaks. (Section 1 of "domestic workers bill of rights")

Increased Job Security and Rights: Employees are provided with rights regarding earned paid sick time, fair scheduling practices, and the ability to request temporary changes to scheduled work hours. (Section 1 of "domestic workers bill of rights")

Financial Protections: The bill protects employees from wage deductions caused by cash shortages, breakages, or loss. (Section 1 of "domestic workers bill of rights")

Access to Assistance and Information: A national domestic employee hotline will be established to help workers seek assistance on various issues. (Section 304) Additionally, the Secretary must create a notice of rights available in multiple languages to ensure workers understand their protections. (Section 302)

Support for Medicaid-Funded Workers: Regulations will be developed to protect, stabilize, and expand the workforce for personal care aides and assistants providing Medicaid-funded services. (Section 307)

State Cost Mitigation: The bill authorizes a temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to ensure states do not have to reduce medical assistance levels due to the new labor protections. (Section 401)

Termination Exceptions: Employers can bypass notice and severance requirements if they make a good faith allegation that a live-in employee engaged in abuse, neglect, or other harmful conduct. (Sec. 102)

Scheduling Exceptions: Requirements for notice and pay for canceled shifts do not apply during natural disasters, declared emergencies, or specific medical emergencies involving the person being cared for. (Sec. 112)

Break Exceptions: The right to meal and rest breaks may be suspended if the safety of the individual under the employee's care prevents the break. (Sec. 115)

Delayed Enforcement for Government Entities: Enforcement of the Act's provisions is delayed for at least two years regarding Federal, State, or local governmental agencies and their contractors. (Section 308)

Delayed Legal Recourse for Medicaid Workers: Domestic employees providing services funded under Medicaid cannot bring certain legal actions against their employers until at least two years after the Act's enactment. (Section 308)