A new law was passed in California effective July 1 requiring the state Department of Social Services to provide contact information of new or renewing registered home care aides to labor unions.
Unless the aides choose to opt out during registration, the new amendment to the California Home Care Services Protection Act (Home Care Act), requires that the department of social services provide labor unions with the names, phone numbers and addresses of aides upon request.
Labor unions may use the contact information only for organizing, representation and assistance activities, and may not disclose it to any other individual or entity. Per the Home Care Act, the information also may not be published on the internet.
On July 3, the Home Care Association of America (HCAOA) and the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) filed a suit against the state over the amendment saying it is unconstitutional and compromises the privacy of home care aides. They argue that while aides have the opportunity to opt out during registration, it requires an extra step, and many may choose to forego the step not realizing they are compromising their privacy.