06/17/2026
Lawmakers Advance Bipartisan Plan to Study Ohio's Long-Term Care Workforce Shortage
Ohio lawmakers are taking a closer look at one of the most significant challenges facing aging services providers: the growing shortage of direct care workers.
House Bill 530, sponsored by Representatives Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland) and Jodi Salvo (R-Bolivar), unanimously cleared the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee earlier this month. The legislation would establish a Long-term Care Workforce Study Commission charged with developing policy recommendations to strengthen Ohio's caregiving workforce.
The commission would bring together direct care workers, long-term care providers, family caregivers, individuals receiving services, advocates, and state agency representatives to study workforce challenges across home- and community-based services, nursing facilities, and other long-term care settings.
The effort comes as Ohio faces mounting demographic pressures. Demand for long-term services and supports continues to grow as the state's older adult population increases, while providers across the continuum continue to experience workforce shortages that affect access to care and service availability.
Under the proposal, the commission would examine:
- Recruitment and retention strategies for direct care workers
- Education and career pathway opportunities
- Workforce demand projections
- Shared staffing models
- Potential policy and funding solutions to strengthen Ohio's caregiving infrastructure
The commission would be required to issue recommendations to the General Assembly by Aug. 31, 2027.
Read more from Cleveland.com coverage of HB 530.
