The U.S. Labor Department has extended the time for commenting upon the proposed provisions that would essentially spell the end of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act exemptions for companions and live-in domestic-service workers.  The new deadline is March 12, 2012.

This extension was announced over the objections of many who favor the curtailment of these exemptions.  The Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, one of the groups pushing for the changes, put it this way:  "The companionship exemption [restriction] was included as part of President Obama's 'We Can't Wait' agenda, and we wholeheartedly agree."  According to PHI, the fact that more than 2,000 comments have been submitted already is cause for bringing public input to a close.

It is clear that the expected campaign to generate favorable comments has been underway.  As one example, many submissions say this, with little variation...

Please see full article below for more information.