Sponsors (2)
Separating direct care occupations in federal data would improve supports, workforce policy, and government planning for people with disabilities and caregivers, but it imposes administrative costs and risks misapplied, one-size-fits-all policy if used without careful, state-sensitive design.
People with disabilities could get better-targeted community supports because direct care roles would be identified separately in federal data, improving planning and funding for services.
Direct care workers (home health aides, personal care aides) would benefit from clearer workforce data that can support recruitment, training, and occupation-specific compensation policy.
State and local governments would gain better labor-market visibility to forecast demand and design targeted training or retention programs for a fast-growing direct care occupation.
State and local governments (and taxpayers) may incur administrative and IT costs to revise data systems and implement a new occupational classification.
If policymakers use the new occupational data as a blunt basis for rules, it could produce one-size-fits-all regulations that don't fit diverse state and local direct care programs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Urges OMB to consider creating a separate SOC code for direct support professionals to improve federal data and workforce planning.
Introduced October 15, 2025 by Susan Margaret Collins · Last progress October 15, 2025
Urges the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code for direct care workers (including direct support professionals, personal aides, and in‑home support workers) during the current SOC revision. The resolution highlights the vital role these workers play in long‑term supports and services for people with disabilities, a nationwide workforce shortage worsened by the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the benefits of better federal data for workforce planning and community integration.