Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6137
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:09:02Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act" (H.R. 6137) aims to acknowledge the vital contributions of direct support professionals (DSPs)—workers who assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in daily living, independence, and community participation. It seeks to improve labor market data collection by prompting a potential update to the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system, a statistical tool used to categorize jobs for data analysis purposes.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines the essential role of DSPs in promoting independence through services like personal care, community integration, and daily task support. It highlights challenges such as a 39% national turnover rate among DSPs, which disrupts care for recipients, and the need for better data to address shortages.
- Revision of SOC System: Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to evaluate adding a separate SOC code for DSPs as a healthcare support occupation during the next SOC revision after the bill's enactment.
- Reporting Requirement: If the OMB decides against creating the new code, it must submit a report to specified congressional committees (Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and House Committee on Education and Workforce) within 30 days of the revision, explaining the decision.
- Funding Limitation: No additional federal funds are authorized to implement the Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces a mandate for the OMB to actively consider revising the SOC system, which is currently maintained for statistical purposes by federal agencies to classify occupations based on duties, skills, and training.
- It does not guarantee a new code but ensures formal review and accountability through reporting, addressing the current grouping of DSPs with roles like home health aides, which the bill argues misrepresents their specialized work.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The OMB and federal statistical agencies (e.g., Bureau of Labor Statistics) may need to adjust data collection and analysis processes if a new code is added, potentially improving accuracy in tracking DSP shortages and turnover. States could use enhanced data for workforce planning in disability services.
- On Citizens: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities may benefit from more stable care due to better-targeted efforts to recruit and retain DSPs, leading to improved independence and community inclusion. DSPs could gain formal recognition, potentially aiding wage negotiations or training programs.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic labor classification and disability support.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Direct Support Professionals (DSPs): Primary beneficiaries through potential recognition and improved visibility in labor data.
- Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Indirectly affected via more reliable caregiving support.
- Service Providers: Home- and community-based service organizations facing hiring challenges, which could see relief from better data-driven policies.
- Government Entities: OMB, congressional committees, and federal/state agencies involved in workforce statistics and disability programs.
- Broader Workforce and Policymakers: Employers, unions, and lawmakers interested in healthcare support occupations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill operates within existing administrative authority over the SOC system, which is purely statistical and non-regulatory, avoiding mandates that could raise enforcement issues. The reporting requirement promotes transparency without compelling action.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it aligns with Congress's authority to direct executive agencies on statistical matters and support for disability rights under laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by Reps. Fitzpatrick and Morelle) for overlooked essential workers in disability care, potentially influencing future funding or policy for home-based services amid ongoing labor shortages. It underscores the value of data in addressing social welfare gaps without authorizing new spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Cosponsors (33)
Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Mackenzie, Ryan [R-PA-7], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21], Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-19: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act — issued 2025-11-19 — PDF (5 pages)