; or (2) to discourage or prevent an employer from adopting a contract, collective bargaining agreement, or employment benefit program or plan that provides greater right or benefits to covered direct care professionals than the rights established under this subtitle. 339. Regulations (a) In general Subject to subsection (b), not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this subtitle. (b) Immediate compliance The rights and responsibilities specified in this subtitle shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act and employers and other persons subject to those responsibilities shall comply immediately, without regard whether regulations have been prescribed under this section. 339A. Effective date If a public health emergency was declared before and remains in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, for purposes of this subtitle, including section 332(c), the public health emergency shall be considered to have been declared on the date of enactment of this Act. 339B. Collection of data and further study (a) Compilation of information The Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics shall— (1) collect data on— (A) the amount of paid and unpaid sick time available to covered direct care professionals by occupation and type of employment establishment; and (B) an estimate of the average sick time used by covered direct care professionals according to occupation and the type of covered direct care professional; and (2) annually report that data to the Comptroller General of the United States. (b) GAO study The Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) conduct a study to evaluate the implementation of this subtitle— (A) that includes an estimation of the access of covered direct care professionals to paid sick time, the awareness of covered direct care professionals of rights under this Act, and the experiences of employers in complying with this subtitle