AB 283 (Haney) — IHSSEERA in Plain English
AB 283, also called the In-Home Supportive Services Employer-Employee Relations Act (IHSSEERA), is a bill that would change how IHSS collective bargaining works in California. Right now, wages and benefits are negotiated county by county. This bill would move bargaining to the state level, while keeping consumer-directed care in place. Below, I’ve broken down the key parts of the bill, shared the exact quotes, and explained what they mean for caregivers and IHSS recipients.
Key Quotes & What They Mean
State becomes the bargaining “employer of record”
Bill text:
“This bill would, for purposes of collective bargaining, deem the state to be the employer of record of individual providers in each county. The bill would grant the in-home supportive services recipient with the right to hire, fire, and supervise the work of the individual providers providing services to them.”
What this means:
Today, 58 counties all bargain separately. That’s why providers in one county may make $18/hour while another county is stuck at minimum wage. AB 283 would end that patchwork system by making the State of California the “employer of record” for bargaining. In plain English: the state becomes the one employer that unions bargain with for wages and benefits.
- For caregivers: You gain bargaining power because everyone is at one table. Raises and benefits don’t have to crawl through county-by-county negotiations.
- For recipients: You don’t lose control in your home. You still choose who to hire, supervise, and fire. This protects consumer-directed care.
- Why it matters: Moving bargaining to the state level makes it possible to raise standards across California, instead of leaving some counties far behind.
One statewide contract (with local add-ons)
Bill text:
“This bill would require all recognized employee organizations, as of January 1, 2026, to negotiate jointly on behalf of all bargaining units they represent to reach a single memorandum of understanding with the employer. The memorandum of understanding may contain addenda reflecting regional or county-level terms and conditions.”
What this means:
Instead of 58 separate county contracts, there will be one master statewide contract (MOU). Counties and regions can still add side agreements (addenda) if they need to address local issues like transit stipends, training, or special program rules.
- For caregivers: You’re guaranteed the same baseline wages and benefits no matter what county you’re in.
- For recipients: Services will be less dependent on county politics. But local flexibility remains if something unique is needed in your area.
- Why it matters: This is about fairness and consistency. A caregiver in Riverside shouldn’t make several dollars less than one in San Mateo for doing the same job.
Dispute process (mediation → binding arbitration → Legislature can override)
Senate Floor Analysis:
“Requires mediation for the state and IHSS employee unions to resolve differences but provides a binding arbitration process if mediation fails. Permits the Legislature to reject the arbitration panel’s decision by a majority vote of the Legislature.”
What this means:
If bargaining stalls, first there’s mediation. If that doesn’t work, an independent arbitrator makes a binding decision. The Legislature has the power to overturn that decision with a majority vote.
- For caregivers: There’s a clear path forward if talks stall. You’re less likely to be stuck in years of deadlock.
- For recipients: Faster resolutions mean your caregiver is less distracted or burned out waiting for raises or benefits to be settled.
- What’s tricky: Politics can still override an arbitration award. That means advocates will need to keep pressure on lawmakers not to block fair agreements.
Costs & county shields
Bill text:
“This bill would require the state to also pay 100 percent of the nonfederal share of county administration and public authority administration costs for each county of any administration costs resulting from the provisions of any memorandum of understanding…”
“This bill would prohibit the rebased County IHSS MOE from being adjusted based on any provision of any memorandum of understanding…”
What this means:
Counties often claim they “can’t afford” higher wages or benefits. AB 283 removes that excuse by having the State cover the new admin costs from bargaining. It also protects counties from higher MOEs (Maintenance of Effort) because of a statewide deal.
- For caregivers: Your wage fight won’t be blocked by county budget excuses.
- For recipients: Counties won’t fight against raises as hard, because they won’t be on the hook financially. That makes faster agreements more likely.
- Why it matters: This shifts responsibility where it belongs: to the State, not to 58 underfunded county systems.
Consumer direction stays intact
Bill text:
“The in-home supportive services recipient shall be the employer of an individual provider with the unconditional and exclusive right to hire, fire, and supervise the provider.”
What this means:
Even though bargaining is centralized, consumer-directed care remains untouched. Clients still decide who comes into their home, how care is delivered, and whether a provider keeps their job.
- For caregivers: Your paycheck may come from a state-negotiated contract, but your actual boss is still the client you serve.
- For recipients: You don’t lose independence or control over your home care. The State doesn’t decide who works in your living room — you do.
Quick Pros & Cons (for IHSS Providers)
- One statewide contract = more consistency and fairness.
- Potential for faster wage increases and benefits.
- State covers new admin costs; counties can’t block raises by crying poor.
- Recipients keep control in the home.
- No automatic fix for health insurance or the Social Security/FICA gap for live-in caregivers.
- Legislature can still overturn arbitration results.
Additional Concerns & Risks
- Slower progress in high-wage counties: Counties like San Francisco or Los Angeles that have already pushed wages higher could see raises slow down under a statewide system.
- One-size-fits-all risk: California’s cost of living varies dramatically. A uniform contract may not fully reflect local realities, leaving some caregivers behind.
- State budget dependence: Shifting costs to Sacramento means IHSS raises are now tied directly to state budget cycles. In deficit years, raises could be delayed or minimized.
- Local accountability may weaken: Counties could step back from improving registries, training, or payroll, saying “that’s the state’s job now.”
- Union voice balance: Merging 58 bargaining units into one strengthens unions overall but risks smaller counties’ priorities being overshadowed by larger urban regions.
Status (as of Today)
Inactive File (Sept 9, 2025): The Senate moved AB 283 to the inactive file. This is a procedural pause, not a defeat. Bills are placed on the inactive file when there likely aren’t enough votes yet, when leadership wants to delay action (often to line up budget money or negotiations), or when the author prefers to park it rather than force a losing vote. It does
not mean lawmakers didn’t read it. The author can ask to bring it back off the inactive file in a future session, so it’s paused—not dead.
Quick Summary
- AB 283 did not pass in 2025; it’s on hold in the Senate inactive file.
- “Inactive file” = parked for timing/votes/budget—not a comment on length or merit.
- The bill can be revived next session if support or funding improves.
Quick Links to the Actual Documents
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