Oregon Home Care Commission

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Senate Bill 1534 Updates

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​About Senate Bill 1534

Senate Bill 1534 was passed by the Oregon Legislative Assembly in 2018. The bill directs the Department of Human Services to implement mandatory training and testing requirements for homecare and personal support workers.

These new requirements are for all homecare and personal support workers who are approved to provide services and supports to individuals receiving in-home services funded through Medicaid or Oregon Project Independence.

The new requirements set standards for all homecare and personal support workers to make sure they have the skills, knowledge, and abilities to provide quality services and supports. Currently, training is voluntary and offered through the Oregon Home Care Commission across the state.

Being a homecare and personal support worker is a valued profession and training is important for career development and advancement.

Senate Bill 1534 identified several training topics that include:

  • Safety and emergency measures;
  • Understanding the requirements for providers paid with Medicaid funds;
  • Providing person-centered care;
  • Understanding how to support the physical and emotional needs of the individual who is receiving care;
  • Managing medications; and
  • Providing personal care and assistance with activities of daily living.

​A SB 1534 training workgroup was created to establish minimum training standards. The workgroup was made up of community partners, stakeholders, advocacy groups, the union that represents the workforce (SEIU), homecare and personal support workers, and consumers. The workgroup identified many important topics to be included in orientation and core training that benefits the consumer and worker.

Enrolled Senate Bill 1534​​​​​

​Updates

Date
  
Update
7/20/2020

The Oregon Home Care Commission is revising Oregon administrative rules for chapter 418, division 20 (Oregon Home Care Commission Functions) to extend the implementation timelines for mandatory training for homecare and personal support workers as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on curriculum development, piloting, and available resources.

Rules are also being amended to implement Senate Bill 669 and House Bill 2011 requirements, both passed during the 2019 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 669 requires an assessment of competency before a homecare or personal support worker may work for consumers of Medicaid in-home services. House Bill 2011 requires homecare and personal support workers to complete cultural competency training as part of their on-going continuing education.

The Department anticipates there will be one meeting. Participation will be through Zoom with the option to call-in. The rule advisory committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

If you would like to serve on the rule advisory committee, please reply to Jenny Cokeley at Jenny.E.Cokeley@dhsoha.state.or.us and express your interest by Monday, July 27, 2020.  Jenny will finalize the participant list on July 31, 2020 and send meeting details and draft rules. 

11/20/2019

​The Oregon Home Care Commission review and approves all training curriculum for required homecare and personal support worker trainings to ensure they meet training standards.  The review process and checklist are avaiable on the SB 1534 Updates page. If you have questions or comments, please contact Jenny Cokeley, Special Projects Coordinator with the Oregon Home Care Commission, by calling 503-378-8190 or sending an email to jenny.e.cokeley@state.or.us.

8/27/2019

​The Oregon Home Care Commission filed permanent rules on July 1, 2019.  We would like to thank all the stakeholders and partners who participated on the rule advisory committee.

The new training requirements for homecare and personal support workers go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021.  In the next few months, you will hear more about SB 1534 and the new training requirements.
4/22/2019
​If you would like to submit written comments about changes to the Oregon Home Care Commission Rules as a result of SB 1534, you can do so via email or regular mail.  All comments received will be given equal consideration before the Commission proceeds with the permanent rulemaking.  Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on May 31, 2019.

To submit via email: apd.rules@state.or.us

To submit by regular mail:

Human Services Building
500 Summer St. NE, E2
Salem, OR 97301-1064
4/17/2019
​The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Filing has been posted and the rules are open for public comment. The last date and time to submit comments is May 31, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. A public hearing will be held on May 20, 2019 at 8:30 AM at the Barbara Roberts Human Services Building located at 500 Summer St. NE, Salem, OR 97301 - Room 160.
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Communications - Fact Sheets and FAQs

Link
  
FAQs: Mandatory Training for Homecare and Personal Support Workers
SB 1534 Timeline


OHCC Training Curriculum Review Process

OHCC reviews and approves curriculum for required trainings for homecare and personal support workers to ensure they meet all quality standards.

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Senate Bill 1534​ Rule Advisory Committee

    A Rule Advisory Committee made up of community partners, advocates, consum​​​ers, providers, SEIU, and DHS representatives was convened to review the rules impacted by Senate Bill 1534. Below, you will find the rules, meeting agendas, and meeting notes.

    Link
      
    OHCC Rule Notice - SB 1534
    Rule Advisory Committee Agenda 3/29/19
    Rule Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3/14/19
    Draft chapter 418, division 20 OHCC rules
    Rule Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes 3/1/19

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    Senate Bill 1534 Steering Committee

    The Senate Bill 1534 Steering Committee consists of leadership from SEIU, Aging and People with Disabilities, and the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services.  The purpose of the committee is to make recommendations and decisions necessary to successfully implement Senate Bill 1534.

    SB 1534 Charter​

    Link
      
    May 2018 agenda and meeting notes
    June 2018 agenda and meeting notes
    July 2018 agenda and meeting notes
    August 2018 agenda and meeting notes
    October 2018 agenda and meeting notes
    November 2018 agenda and meeting notes
    March 22, 2019 agenda and meeting notes
    April 2019 agenda and meeting notes
    August 2019 SB 1534 Steering Committee Agenda and Notes
    SB 1534 Steering Committee Agenda and Notes 10-23-19
    January 6, 2020 SB 1534 Steering Committee Agenda and Notes


    ​​Senate Bill 1534 Training Workgroup

    Stakeholders were invited to participate in a workgroup to develop recommendations for mandatory training and testing requirements for homecare and personal support workers.  The workgroup started meeting in July 2018 and their final recommendations were presented to the Senate Bill 1534 Steering Committee in December 2018​

    Link
      
    Senate Bill 1534 Training Workgroup Recommendations
    July 2018 meeting notes
    October 2018 meeting notes
    November 2018 meeting notes
    December 2018 meeting notes

    ​​​​
    The workgroup developed several subgroups to focus on curriculum development, testing, and how Oregon Home Care Commission certifications are impacted by Senate Bill 1534.  The subgroup recommendations were presented to the larger training workgroup for consideration.

    Testing Subgroup

    Link
      
    October 5, 2018 Agenda
    October 11, 2018 Agenda
    October 19, 2018 Agenda
    Testing Subgroup Planning Document
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    Curriculum
    Link
      
    September 24, 2018 meeting agenda
    October 3, 2018 meeting agenda
    Curriculum key concepts
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    OHCC Certifications​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
    Link
      
    October 12, 2018 agenda and meeting notes
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