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Committee advances bill reducing training hours for some family caregivers in veterans programs, delays change until training is available
Summary
The Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee voted to report out substitute House Bill 1142, which aligns training requirements and certification exemptions for long‑term caregivers providing in‑home care to family members, and adopted an amendment delaying a training‑category change for caregivers in veterans programs until July 1, 2026.
The Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee reported out substitute House Bill 1142 on Jan. 28, approving a due‑pass recommendation after adopting an amendment that delays a change affecting veterans’ family caregivers.
The bill as introduced would reclassify certain family caregivers who provide in‑home care through veterans’ home‑ and community‑based programs into a training category that requires 21 hours of training, down from the current 35 hours. Counsel to the committee Rana Ross told the committee the bill "aligns training requirements and certification exemptions for long term care workers providing in home care for family members regardless of what avenue the care is provided and paid under." An amendment, H0917.1, moved by Vice Chair Nance, delays moving caregivers in veterans’ programs into the 21‑hour category until July 1, 2026, "so that those caregivers are moved when the training is available," the vice chair said.
Representative Lee asked whether the delay means caregivers would still need the longer training if the bill becomes law before new training is available. Ross replied, "Right now, spouses providing care through Veterans Affairs are required to have 35 hours of training and that will remain in effect, until, until this amendment would take effect. Yes." Representative Timmons spoke in support of the bill, saying it would provide "clarity and efficiencies in terms of certification" for workers providing family care in homes.
The committee adopted amendment H0917.1 and then moved the substitute bill. The roll call showed 16 ayes and 1 nay; the clerk announced that substitute House Bill 1142 was reported out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation.
The measure will now proceed to the next stage designated by the House. The committee record does not specify whether additional rule‑making or agency implementation steps will be required after enactment.
