Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

S. 3211, the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, would direct the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a separate job classification for direct support professionals—workers who assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with daily activities like personal care, communication, community participation, and household tasks—within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system, categorizing it as a healthcare support occupation. This would happen as part of the next scheduled revision of that classification system after the bill becomes law. If OMB decides not to create the new code, it would have to report its reasoning to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and the House Education and Workforce Committee within 30 days of that revision.

The bill primarily affects federal statistical tracking rather than creating new benefits or requirements. Direct support professionals, the agencies and providers who employ them, and states relying on labor-market data would be affected, since a distinct classification would allow better tracking of employment levels, shortages, and the sector's reported 39% turnover rate. The bill does not mandate the new code be created—only that OMB consider it—and authorizes no additional funding.

Introduced November 19, 2025 by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) with bipartisan cosponsors, the bill was referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. On August 6, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, meaning it now awaits further action, including a possible full Senate vote.

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