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House committee advances bill to protect caregiver wage and overtime rights amid federal rule threat
Summary
The House Committee on Labor and Workforce Development voted to move SB 1518a to the floor after testimony from lawmakers and union representatives who said a proposed U.S. Department of Labor rule could remove federal protections for home-care and domestic workers; staff said the bill has minimal fiscal impact.
The House Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on Feb. 18 voted to advance Senate Bill 1518a, legislation intended to preserve Oregon wage and overtime protections for home-care and domestic workers if federal definitions change.
Representative Sue Rickey Smith (House District 26), who testified in support, said the bill "is about protecting the workers who care for the most vulnerable Oregonians, our seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on in-home support every single day." She said SB 1518 clarifies that individuals providing companionship services remain covered by Oregon's minimum wage and overtime protections and directs the Bureau of Labor and Industries to study enforcement and reporting.
Alice Longley Miller of SEIU Local 503 urged lawmakers to act in response to a proposed U.S. Department of Labor rule she described as removing federal minimum-wage and overtime protections for domestic service employees. "The proposed rule would rescind an Obama-era regulation that extended Fair Labor Standards Act coverage to home-care workers," Miller said, adding that the change could affect millions of workers and exacerbate high turnover in the field.
Erin, committee staff, told members the measure modifies the exclusion that applies to companionship services by referencing federal regulation 29 CFR 552.6 as it existed on Jan. 1, 2016, with an exception when a person is "employed singly or jointly by a third party in the business of providing home care or companionship services." Staff said the bill comes with a minimal fiscal impact and no revenue impact.
After public testimony the committee closed the hearing, opened a work session, and Vice Chair Munoz moved SB 1518a to the floor with a "do pass" recommendation. The clerk conducted a roll call and the motion was adopted. Representative Sue Rickey Smith agreed to carry the bill to the House floor.
Next steps: SB 1518a is scheduled to go to the full House for consideration; the committee record shows staff fiscal notes describing minimal fiscal effect and no revenue impact.
