Colorado § 8-7.5-108 - Direct care employers - direct care worker rights training - direct care worker communication platform - direct care worker website.

§ 8-7.5-108. Direct care employers - direct care worker rights training - direct care worker communication platform - direct care worker website.

(1) By January 1, 2026, the department shall collaborate with the board and any other entities deemed relevant by the department to establish a comprehensive "know your rights" training for direct care workers that includes information concerning:

(a) The direct care worker base wage;

(b) Wages and hours for overtime work;

(c) The "Healthy Families and Workplaces Act", part 4 of article 13.3 of this title 8;

(d) The "Family Care Act", part 2 of article 13.3 of this title 8;

(e) The federal "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act", Pub.L. 111-148, as it relates to worker rights;

(f) Travel time rules, as the rules relate to the employment of direct care workers;

(g) Civil rights protected by Colorado law that are relevant to the employment of direct care workers;

(h) Where a direct care worker can learn more about the topics covered in the training;

(i) Where and how to file a complaint, including rights secured under the "Protecting Opportunities and Workers' Rights Act", Senate Bill 23-172, enacted in 2023; and

(j) The contents of the website established in section 25.5-1-208, how to use the communication platform established in section 25.5-1-208, the benefits to the direct care worker of participation in the communication platform, how direct care worker contact information will be used, and how to opt in to and opt out of the communication platform.

(2) The department shall:

(a) Ensure that the comprehensive "know your rights" training required to be established by subsection (1) of this section is available to direct care workers and direct care employers;

(b) Allow worker organizations to participate in the "know your rights" training;

(c) Allow representatives of the board to participate in the "know your rights" trainings;

(d) Not charge a fee to direct care employers or direct care workers for the "know your rights" training;

(e) Report periodically to the board concerning direct care worker completion of the "know your rights" training; and

(f) Provide a certification of completion of the "know your rights" training to the direct care worker.

(3) A direct care employer shall:

(a) On or before October 1, 2026, or within ninety days after the direct care worker website and the communication platform are established pursuant to section 25.5-1-208 (2), whichever is earlier, require each direct care worker to provide documentation of a completed "know your rights" training administered by the department;

(b) Distribute a direct care worker-specific notice of rights developed by the department in coordination with the board and the department of health care policy and financing pursuant to section 25.5-1-208 (3)(a) to each direct care worker employed by the employer and to each new direct care worker at the time of hire that includes:

(I) "Know your rights" training information;

(II) The contents of the direct care worker website and communication platform;

(III) How to opt in to the communication platform and the potential benefits of opting in to the communication platform;

(IV) How to use the communication platform;

(V) How and what direct care worker contact information may be shared; and

(VI) How to opt out of the communication platform and communications from the communication platform; and

(c) Inform all employees about the direct care worker website and communication platform established by the department of health care policy and financing pursuant to section 25.5-1-208.

Source: L. 2025: Entire section added, (HB 25-1328), ch. 263, p. 1347, § 3, effective August 6.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 25-1328, see section 1 of chapter 263, Session Laws of Colorado 2025.