Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act

New pay rules for babysitters and families

If enacted, this bill would narrow the babysitting exemption and repeal a related exemption in the Fair Labor Standards Act. It would define "babysitting services" as custodial care in a private home where the child lives. It would exclude care done by registered, vocational, or practical nurses and by home care workers, including home health aides and personal care aides. It would define "casual basis" as irregular or intermittent work (as defined by the Secretary), exclude professional babysitters, and allow unrelated household chores only if they are 20 percent or less of total babysitting hours. If enacted, many household babysitters would gain federal minimum wage and overtime protections and households could face higher pay and new compliance duties. These changes would take effect upon enactment.