HCAOA The Voice Summer 2019

6 HCAOA The Voice MEMBER NEWS HCAOAArizona The HCAOA chapter in Arizona is planning a chapter meeting this summer. Please check the HCAOA events calendar for the latest information. The chapter also hosted a table at the June 13 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) conference to promote membership in the chapter. HCAOA California The California chapter of HCAOA has been very busy in the wake of Governor Brown signing AB 2455 into law. The bill is set to take effect July 1, 2019. Leading up to that date the California Depart- ment of Social Services (DSS) will be required to adopt regulations and/or administrative procedures to implement the bill, including updating the registration process to include a notice that home care aide (HCA) information may be disclosed, that the HCA has a right to opt-out and will include instructions on the opt-out pro- cess. HCAOA hosted a well-attended webinar on May 17 on the issue of what employers can and cannot say regarding the opt-out process. DSS hosted a webinar that discussed the opt-out process on June 6 at 10am Pacific Time. For more information, please visit www.protectcaregiverprivacy.org . HCAOA Connecticut HCAOA Connecticut has been rallying to fight against a slate of bills that would impose broad and severe restrictions on the ability of home care providers to expand their offerings and grow their businesses. They are: • Senate Bill 1051, which would require home care agen- cies to collect personal, identifying information about employees and submit it to the Department of Consumer Protection. • House Bill 7164, sec. 12, would prohibit all homemaker- companion agencies, even those not participating in the Con- necticut Medical Assistance Program, from using standard, lawful non-compete (or non-solicitation) agreements in the ordinary course of their business. • House Bill 6931 requires employers to provide certain home care workers employed for at least 90 days with either advance written termination notice or severance pay. HCAOA has provided caregivers in the state with an easy-to- complete email message to send to their member in the State Senate and House to alert them to the ill effects of this legislation on businesses, workers, and Connecticut’s elderly population. In addition to all our advocacy efforts, the chapter is also planning a webinar this summer. This webinar will explore reasons for recent policies impacting home care, discuss what the home care industry can do to counteract them, and how owners can engage caregivers and educate policy makers and the public about what non-medical, employer-based home care does for seniors, workers, the state and the economy. Please check the HCAOA events calendar for the latest information and a link to register. HCAOA Florida Save the Date for the HCAOA Florida Annual Meeting to be held on Thursday, August 15 beginning at 1pm at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Airport. Please check the HCAOA events calendar for the latest information and a link to register. HCAOA Georgia HCAOA Georgia held their June 2019 chapter Meeting at the Georgian Terrace hotel. Speakers included Georgia Department of Labor commissioner Mark Butler, Rep. Jesse Petrae, HCAOA National Lobbyist Patrick Cooney, HCAOA Georgia Lobbyist Rusty Paul, HCAOA Legislative Chair Martin Miller, and HFRD Compliance Specialist Kim Caldwell, RN. HCAOA Illinois 2019 HCAOA Illinois May Conference a huge success! On Tuesday, May 14, HCAOA Illinois held their second state conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lisle, Illinois. The meet- ing began the evening before with an opening reception where attendees could network with each other, speakers, exhibitors and sponsors. On Tuesday morning the Conference began with a welcome address by Chapter Chair, Katie Fielmann. The confer- ence Keynote Speaker was Jim White who gave a well-received presentation on improving the customer experience. There were also presentations on medical cannabis in Illinois, with speaker Meredith Duncan addressing the legal aspects and Morgan Kingsland providing an overview of medical cannabis in general. Attorneys David Alfini, Aimee Delaney and Adam Guetzow gave a joint presentation on how to best to contract with other home care providers while maintaining regulatory compliance and avoiding a joint employer classification. HCAOA Chapter Highlights