Washington Democrats celebrate the passage of HB 1142 after governor signature this week

Olympia, Washington – Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law HB 1142, introduced by Seattle Representative Nicole Macri, in what appears to be a significant legislative effort meant to assist unpaid family caregivers. Especially for people who give in-home care to their own family members, this new law emphasizes improving the training and certification procedures for long-term care professionals.

This law is especially important for those who help older or disabled family members with daily duties given more than 800,000 unpaid family caregivers in Washington. The launch of WA Cares, a program helping people to pay required treatment, emphasizes the need of such assistance as it helps them to keep their dignity and independence as they age.

The main sponsor of the measure, Representative Macri, thanked the governor and the legislature for enacting the bill, highlighting that it allows more Washington residents to care for their loved ones on their own terms.

“This new law will allow family caregivers to stay in the workforce with financial stability,” Macri said, highlighting the dual benefit of the legislation in supporting both care recipients and their families.

With an 88 to 8 vote, the House passed HB 1142 on February 6; with a 48 to 1 vote, the Senate passed it on March 26. The bill enjoyed wide bipartisan support. Its provisions especially define the training criteria for family members giving care only to their relatives, regardless of the administrative employer. This standardization applies whether the family members are employed through a home care agency or through a new, simplified streamlined option created under WA Cares.

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Moreover, the legislation helps those receiving care and their paid family members to transfer more easily should they choose to alter the kind of employer. It also creates a new category under WA Cares to pay spousal providers, therefore acknowledging and formalizing the efforts of spouses who care for their partners.

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By offering necessary in-home care, family caregivers—who are crucial to the healthcare system—are recognized and organized by this law, which represents a turning point. The new law not only matches training needs but also offers a financial and professional framework to enable caregivers to carry on their labor of love without compromising their own professional and financial stability.