Fall 2018

12 HCAOA The Voice MEMBER NEWS Arizona Chapter Chair, Krystal Wilkinson, was invited to meet with the Gover- nor’s office to discuss the state of home care in Arizona. The chapter has been increasing its advocacy efforts this year and had a chapter meeting on June 12, with Rep. Heather Carter as a guest speaker. California Despite the best efforts of HCAOA, its members at the grassroots level and its lobbyists, we could not prevail upon the California State Senate to defeat AB 2455, the bill by Assembly Member Ash Kalra (D-San Jose). It was approved on a 23-14 vote. AB 2455 awaits further action by the California State Assembly but it is unlikely that the Assembly will defeat the bill. This means the bill will advance to Gov. Jerry Brown's desk for final consideration, which will occur no later than September 30. Gov. Brown vetoed a similar bill, AB 1513 (Kalra), last year on the final day for him to consider it. The only difference between last year's bill is the information allowed to be gathered (name and cell phone) from home care aides who do NOT "opt out" of such information being shared and will apply to newly-registered home care aides and current home care aides when they renew their registration. HCAOA is continuing to fight for the privacy of our caregivers by opposing AB 2455. We can't accomplish this without your help and action. Contact the Governors' office by calling (916) 445- 2841 and ask the Governor to veto the bill. Connecticut HCAOA Connecticut welcomes new chapter chair, Chaim Gerwitz- man, CEO of NCE Homecare. The chapter is scheduled to have their Fall program on September 12 and has invited legislators from the Aging, General Law and Labor and Public Employees committees of the General Assembly, which set policy affecting home care in the state of Connecticut. Florida The chapter had a successful meeting on August 16 in Orlando with speakers on topics ranging from Electronic Visit Verification to Making Your Website Roar. Georgia The chapter met on June 14 and discussed a number of issues, including SB 406 which would require comprehensive criminal background checks for elder care providers in personal care homes or other assisted living facilities. Kansas On June 7, the chapter held an in-person meeting, with the option to join via phone. Leda Faria from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) called in to speak on how KDHE understands the requirements for class B licensure. The chapter is working to make sure the regulations in place for class B licensure match the intention of the original bill that was passed last year. South Carolina Save the Date for the first official chapter meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 3. Please visit the HCAOA Events Calendar for more information. Virginia HCAOA has started a chapter in the Commonwealth of Virginia and will host its first meeting on Tuesday, October 30. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact the Manager of Chapter Services, Nataly Schwartz at nataly@hcaoa.org . HCAOA Chapter Highlights