News

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued a Final Rule on Companionship Exemption which amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to improve the wages of direct care workers who assist elderly, disabled, and injured individuals in remaining in their homes. The rule will make more direct care workers eligible for minimum wage and overtime provisions, which they were formally exempted from under the companionship exemption.

 Following the DOL announcement of the Final Rule, a joint statement was released by the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) and National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS) expressing concern that the rule could negatively affect people receiving Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). The joint statement raises the concern that this rule will require additional funding that may inhibit the delivery of services in the homes of some individuals.

Read the Final Rule on Companionship Exemption.

Reach the Joint Statement from NAMD and NASDDDS.

Read about TAC's work on Community Integration.