Senate Bill 274 Summary

• Establishes a new category of "home assistance services provider" that is exempt from full home care licensure requirements and can only provide in-home companion, sitter, respite care, or homemaker services.

• Home assistance services providers must maintain liability insurance, inform clients they do not provide health care or hands-on care, conduct criminal background checks, verify employee/contractor driving records, and annually attest to compliance with these requirements.

• Prohibits home assistance services providers from submitting insurance claims for reimbursement, employing individuals convicted of relevant offenses or listed on the National Sex Offender Public Website.

• Sets the initial licensure fee for home assistance services providers at $510.00 and the annual license fee at $510.00 (same as home care agencies).

• Extends existing home care agency regulations regarding smoking prohibitions and Health Care Personnel Registry restrictions to home assistance services providers.