Chairman Linda W. Cropp, at the request of the
Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to authorize the
Mayor to promulgate guidelines requiring that persons employed by a group home for
mentally retarded persons to provide direct care be paid the prevailing wage as determined
by the United States Department of Labor, or any successor agency, plus $2.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited
as the "Health-Care and Community Residence Facility, Hospice, and Home Care
Licensure Act of 1983 Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2001".
Sec-2. (a) There exists an immediate crisis regarding the underpaid workforce in group
homes for mentally retarded persons that has an adverse impact on the quality of services
provided to persons with mental retardation. In these group homes, many employees who
provide direct care to persons with mental retardation are underpaid. Their salary does
not adequately compensate those employees who are entrusted with the responsibility of
identifying and addressing serious medical and rehabilitative needs of citizens who are
often voiceless in their care.
(b) This legislation will authorize the Mayor to promulgate guidelines requiring that
persons who provide direct care services in group homes for mentally retarded persons be
paid the prevailing wage as determined by the United States Department of Labor, or any
successor agency, plus $2. These guidelines will ensure that persons employed by a group
home for mentally retarded persons to provide direct care services be paid an adequate
salary. The increased wage for these employees will ensure that the health and safety of
some of our most vulnerable citizens are protected.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances
stated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the
"Health-Care and Community Residence Facility, Hospice, and Home Care Licensure Act
of 1983 Emergency Amendment Act of 2001" be adopted after a single reading.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.