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House creates separate certification for child-welfare social workers, asks DHRM to survey pay
Summary
House Bill 2 32 establishes a separate 'certified child welfare social service worker' classification for CPS workers and directs the Department of Human Resource Management to survey market-equivalent pay; the House passed the bill 73-0 after adopting sponsor amendments.
Representative Matt Throckmorton presented House Bill 2 32, which would create a separate classification for child-protective-services social workers—"certified child welfare social service worker"—to recognize the different duties and stress levels of CPS caseworkers compared with other social-service positions. Throckmorton said the bill does not provide an immediate pay increase; rather, it requires the Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) to survey comparable private-sector pay and make recommendations for future pay adjustments.
Throckmorton explained the rationale: social-service classifications currently encompass a wide range of work (WIC, food stamps, shelter hearings), but CPS workers face distinct job demands and should be distinguished for future compensation consideration. An amendment in the sponsor's name was adopted to clarify how DHRM recommendations should be handled and to guard against an administrative reduction below market recommendations.
Several members declared potential conflicts of interest because family members are social workers. The House voted 73-0 to pass the bill and will refer it to the Senate for further consideration.
What happens next: DHRM will conduct the market survey if the bill becomes law; any pay changes would require a future legislative appropriation.
