In-Home Supportive Services Employer-Employee Relations Act.

Assembly Member Haney's comprehensive labor relations bill would establish California's first statewide collective bargaining framework for In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) workers, designating the state as their employer of record while preserving recipients' authority to manage their care providers.

The legislation creates the In-Home Supportive Services Employer-Employee Relations Act, which transfers employer status from county agencies to the state for approximately 500,000 IHSS providers starting January 2026. Under the new system, existing county-level bargaining units would merge into larger multi-county units, with employee organizations negotiating a single master agreement with the state while maintaining the ability to address regional variations through local addenda.

The bill outlines mandatory subjects for bargaining, including wages, benefits, training opportunities, and workplace safety measures. It establishes formal dispute resolution procedures through mediation and binding arbitration when parties cannot reach agreement. A new 17-member IHSS Statewide Bargaining Advisory Committee, comprised primarily of service recipients, would provide input on proposed labor agreements' programmatic and fiscal implications.

While centralizing labor relations at the state level, the legislation maintains IHSS recipients' rights to hire, fire and supervise their providers. Counties would continue administering key program functions like provider enrollment and orientation. The bill also preserves existing worker protections regarding overtime limits, paid travel time between clients, and timely payment processing.

The Public Employment Relations Board would oversee implementation, with authority to adopt emergency regulations and resolve unfair labor practice charges. Counties failing to facilitate an orderly transition could face withholding of realignment funds. The changes would take effect January 2026, allowing time for administrative preparations and stakeholder education.