Advocates, including The Legal Aid Society, rallied today in opposition to Intro 303, as an amended version of the legislation
sits before the New York City Council. The bill would restrict 24-hour home care shifts without providing replacement care for high-needs disabled New Yorkers and seniors.

While supporters of the bill claim consumers currently receiving 24-hour care would automatically be transitioned to split-shift services, Legal Aid warns this is false. Under Medicaid law, providers cannot deliver care that has not been formally authorized, meaning many consumers could lose medically necessary assistance altogether.

Advocates also dispute claims that family caregivers in the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP) are exempt from the bill’s penalties. In reality, Intro 303B would subject many CDPAP consumers to fines if their caregivers work beyond the bill’s hour limits — potentially forcing families into impossible choices between losing care, working unpaid hours, or facing financial penalties.

“While we support ending abusive 24-hour work conditions, this bill fails to address the underlying state Medicaid authorization and funding structure that created the problem in the first place,” said Belkys Garcia, an attorney with the Civil Law Reform Unit at Legal Aid. “Instead, Intro 303B risks stripping disabled New Yorkers of medically necessary care while exposing CDPAP consumers to devastating fines.”

Take action and tell the City Council to reject Intro 303 here.