Sanchez Home Care Workforce Bill Signed Into Law

EASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA —State Rep. Ben Sanchez’s bill designed to increase Pennsylvania’s home care workforce has unanimously passed the House and Senate and has been signed into law.

"Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed several bills into law, and I’m proud to share that one of those bills was my legislation designed to increase our home care workforce," said Sanchez, state representative for the 153rd Legislative District, which serves Abington and Upper Dublin townships.

"House Bill 155 will make the hiring process for direct care workers easier by removing the outdated requirement that face-to-face interviews are conducted in person," Sanchez said. "Allowing interviews to be conducted using two-way video, and remote technology, increases opportunities for candidates to interview while also maintaining the ability to see the person."

Sanchez said he hopes his bill will be one step toward remedying Pennsylvania’s shortage of direct support providers.

“Professional interviews over a video call have become more and more common since the COVID-19 pandemic. They’re convenient and can attract more qualified, experienced professionals because it’s easier to schedule a call into one’s workday than traveling for an in-person meeting,” Sanchez said. “My legislation simply aims to modernize the home care industry’s hiring process and have a further reach when attracting quality care providers.”

The Department of Labor estimates Pennsylvania will need 45,000 direct care workers in the next few years.