Bill Text: NJ AR176 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges State and federal government to continue funding direct support professional wage increase until end of COVID-19 pandemic.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-07-20 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee [AR176 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR176-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges State and federal government to continue funding direct support professional wage increase until end of COVID-19 pandemic.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the State and federal government to continue funding the wage increase for direct support professionals until the end of the coronavirus 2019 pandemic in New Jersey.
Whereas, A direct support professional is a person who assists an individual with an intellectual and development disability to lead a self-directed life and contribute to the community, assists with activities of daily living if needed, and encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance community inclusion; and
Whereas, Direct support professionals (DPS) provide a broad range of support to individuals with disabilities, including: preparation of meals; helping with medications; assisting with bathing, dressing, and other aspects of daily living; assisting individuals with physical disabilities in accessing their environment; providing transportation to school, work, religious and recreational activities; and helping with general daily affairs, such as assisting with financial matters, medical appointments, and personal interests; and
Whereas, While DSP work hard to provide crucial assistance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many DSP continue to earn low wages, which results in high turnover and vacancy rates in the industry and workforce instability; and
Whereas, Low wages have contributed to the dire shortage of DSP in the State that is threatening the safety and health of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
Whereas, The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed many essential workers to the risk of infection and has magnified the need for appropriate compensation for DSP, as they continue to perform high-risk and demanding work often going beyond the normal scope of work and working without personal protective equipment; and
Whereas, On April 29, 2020, the Department of Human Services announced that $24 million in State and federal resources would be allocated for a temporary wage increase of $3 per hour for DPS until July 31,2020; and
Whereas, The risk of exposure to COVID-19 will persist in the State; it is imperative that both the State and federal government continue to fund an increase in DPS wages until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, as DPS continue to work on the front lines to care for one of the State's most vulnerable populations during this public health crisis; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges that the State and federal government continue to allocate funds towards wage increases for direct support professionals until the end of both the state of emergency and the public health emergency declared in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the Commissioner of Human Services, the United States President, and the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the State and federal government to continue funding the wage increase for direct support professionals (DSP) until the end of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
A direct support professional is a person who assists an individual with an intellectual and development disability to lead a self-directed life and contribute to the community. DSP provide a broad range of support to individuals with disabilities, including: preparation of meals; helping with medications; assisting with bathing, dressing, and other aspects of daily living; assisting individuals with physical disabilities in accessing their environment; providing transportation to school, work, religious and recreational activities; and helping with general daily affairs, such as assisting with financial matters, medical appointments, and personal interests.
While DSP work hard to provide crucial assistance to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, many DSP continue to earn low wages, which results in high turnover and vacancy rates in the industry and workforce instability. Low wages have contributed to the dire shortage of DSP in the State and this workforce instability is especially concerning given the current state of emergency and the public health emergency declared in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many essential workers to the risk of infection and has magnified the need for appropriate compensation for DSP, as they continue to perform high-risk and demanding work.
On April 29, 2020, the Department of Human Services announced that $24 million in State and federal resources would be allocated for a temporary wage increase of $3 per hour for DPS until July 31,2020. The risk of exposure to COVID-19 will persist in the State; it is imperative that both the State and federal government continue to fund an increase in DPS wages until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, as DPS continue to work on the front lines to care for one of the State's most vulnerable populations during this public health crisis.
