S. 3211, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, advanced out of committee on August 6, 2026.
S. 3211 — Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act
What it does
This bill asks the federal government to create a separate job classification for 'direct support professionals'—workers who help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with daily living tasks, employment support, and community participation. Currently, these workers are lumped into broader categories like 'home health aides,' which obscures their actual numbers and the 39% annual turnover crisis in the field. The bill directs the Office of Management and Budget to consider adding a discrete occupational code during its next Standard Occupational Classification system revision, and to report back to Congress if it declines.
Quorum's transparency scan found no buried provisions in Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act.
What happens next
S. 3211 advanced out of committee. Next stop: a floor vote.
Who is behind it
Filed by Maggie Hassan. Cosponsored by Andy Kim, Angus King, Chris Van Hollen and Christopher Coons.