California to update healthcare worker minimum wage requirements

Senate Bill (SB) 525, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom, set into motion a series of deadlines to implement minimum wage payment increases at healthcare facilities, for both clinical and non-clinical staff and contractors. The bill aims to address the deficit of healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 31, 2024, the Governor signed SB 828, delaying the implementation date to July 1, 2024. Later, on June 29, 2024, SB 159 was signed, further delaying implementation of SB 525 until Oct. 15, 2024 at the earliest.

For details about the minimum wage rates and phase-in schedule originally proposed under SB 525, reference our prior article, New California healthcare worker minimum wage requirements in 2024.

Types of workers covered by the law

The definition of workers covered by the healthcare minimum wage law hasn’t changed from the original SB 525 issuance. Workers are included, whether they’re providing healthcare services directly to patients or supporting the healthcare workers or facility — and include both employed and contracted staff.

Some examples of covered workers include:

• Certified nursing assistants
• Technicians
• Patient aides
• Food service
• Housekeeping
• Medical coders and billers
• Schedulers
• Laundry workers

Covered healthcare employers

Employers included in the healthcare worker minimum wage requirements must provide notice to their employees when the law takes effect. The following types of facilities are required to comply with the minimum wage law unless an exception or waiver applies.