Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act

Sponsor: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (Democratic-NY)March 12, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Guarantees minimum wage and overtime for many home care and live-in domestic workers.

This bill aims to guarantee federal minimum wage and overtime pay for many home care workers, including those who assist the elderly or sick. It would get rid of rules that currently stop these workers from getting these basic pay protections. Babysitters working occasionally would still be exempt, but the bill would clearly explain what 'babysitting services' and 'casual basis' mean.

What Would Change

Today, many home care workers, including those providing companionship services and live-in domestic employees, are not guaranteed federal minimum wage or overtime pay. If this bill passes, these workers would gain those protections. The bill would also clarify that only casual babysitters, under specific new definitions, would remain exempt from these federal wage laws.

Key Provisions

Extends federal minimum wage and overtime pay to home care workers who provide companionship services for the elderly or infirm.
Extends federal minimum wage and overtime pay to live-in domestic service employees.
Narrows the exemption for domestic workers to apply only to those providing babysitting services on a casual basis.
Defines 'babysitting services' as custodial care for children in their home, specifically excluding trained nurses and home care workers.
Defines 'casual basis' for babysitting as irregular or intermittent work by someone who is not a professional babysitter, allowing up to 20 percent of their time for household chores.

View on Congress.gov

HR 7917 · 119th Congress · March 12, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity