Existing law establishes the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, administered by the State Department of Social Services and counties, under which qualified aged, blind, and disabled persons receive services enabling them to remain in their own homes. Existing law requires a prospective IHSS provider to complete a provider orientation at the time of enrollment that includes, among other things, the requirements to be an eligible IHSS provider, a description of the IHSS program, and the rules, regulations, and provider-related processes and procedures under the IHSS program.

This bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2019, in consultation with interested stakeholders, to develop a program to address the issue of sexual harassment of IHSS providers. The bill would require the program to include, among other things, include a uniform statewide protocol to follow whenever a provider reports sexual harassment, a requirement that providers attend sexual harassment education as part of their provider orientation, continuing program of sexual harassment education for providers and recipients, a procedure for providers to report sexual harassment with guidelines and timelines for investigation, and a procedure to ensure protection against retaliation. The bill would require the department, on or before July 1, 2020, and annually thereafter, to submit a report to the Legislature summarizing the outcomes of the program.