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Laws that support caregivers in 2026
Hi there!
I’m Erna, the author of Care Fully.
My caregiver journey started over 20 years ago, when I was 21 years old. As a newly minted college graduate, my life was just beginning. I had no idea how to deal with the ups, downs, and in-betweens of caregiving for my Mother.
Care Fully is a play on words. The questions I am asked and the ones I still have drive each issue of this newsletter.
We “care fully” by balancing our needs as a caregivers with those we provide care for. My goal is to offer up experiences and information to support your caregiving journey.
This edition puts a focuses on laws that can make a difference for today’s caregivers.
When I was in the thick of caregiving for my mother, paid leave wasn't something I could fathom. The option didn't exist in my state, never mind where I worked.
At one point when I was facing some health challenges while caring for my Mom, someone suggested I take a few days of Family Medical Leave. It was a discussion that should have happened earlier.
Much has changed since my experience. It isn’t perfect, but there is progress. This edition of Care Fully is about making sure you know what is happening now.
Today, we’re chatting about:
Laws that have taken effect this year.
An update on Maryland’s effort.
The state of Washington’s publicly funded long-term care program.
A few more developments to watch as the year progresses.
If this edition was forwarded to you, please sign up for your own copy here. To spotlight or support caregiving in your company, email [email protected].
📋 2026 AND THE LAWS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE
A wave of state-level paid leave laws either launched or expanded on January 1 of this year. More are coming through the spring. Below is are highlights of new and expanded Paid Leave Laws in effect this year.
New & Expanded Paid Leave Laws Taking Effect in 2026
State | Program | Description |
|---|---|---|
Delaware | Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) | Starting January 1st: Workers in companies with more than 1o employees can receive up to 12 weeks of PFML. |
Minnesota | PFML | On January 1st: Eligible workers can get up to 20 weeks of PFML. |
Colorado | Expanded PFML | As of January 1st: PFML provides 12 additional weeks of leave for parents of babies in the NICU takes effect. |
Connecticut | Paid Sick Time | Starting January 1st: Law expanded to include support for more workers in smaller businesses. |
Tennessee | PFML | From January 1st: State expanded PFML for public sector/government workers to include end of life care in addition to parental leave. |
You can read more about these updates here.
These state driven changes create options that offer flexibility. Flexibility makes it possible for caregivers to remain in the workforce.
⚠️ UPDATE: MARYLAND’S FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE (FAMLI)
Maryland’s FAMLI Program which was expected to launch in July of 2026 is delayed to January 2028. Once it does launch, eligible employees will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid, job-protected leave.
📃WASHINGTON STATE’S CARES FUND
The WA Cares Fund is the nation’s first mandatory, public funded long-term care insurance program. The program was established under the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act, signed into law in April 2021.
The funding mechanism, which started in July 2023, is a 0.58% payroll deduction.
To see if you are eligible to start the process visit: https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/apply.
WA Cares matters beyond Washington. It is the first real-world test of a publicly funded long-term care insurance model in the US.
States are watching closely, as WA Cares could serve as proof of concept. If the program works, the door will open a bit wider for other states to pursue similar models.
🍴MORE ON THE TABLE
As 2026 continues, keep an eye out for:
The “Caregiving Cliff” - Will women continue leaving the workforce due to a lack of support?
The Credit for Caring Act - Will the bipartisan $5,000 federal caregiver tax credit finally pass?
Movement on Medicaid - States including Idaho, North Carolina, Colorado, and more are under pressure to cut home-based care rates as federal cuts come down. Will they?
I’M KEEPING AN EYE ON . . .
Eli Lilly. It launched its Employer Connect platform allowing employers to buy branded medications at manufacturer-sponsored prices. Will this result in cost savings or something else?
It’s hard to imagine considering cost savings since the cost of healthcare continues to increase, while federal funding for healthcare overall is going down. Let’s keep an eye on things and see.
WHILE EVERYTHING ISN’T FIXED . . .
The laws and programs mentioned above confirm caregiver needs can move policy. The conversation must continue to keep change top of mind.
Our policy will conclude next week with a focus on the workplace. We’ll discuss what is owed and what is available. And, we’ll take time to recognize why the business case for caregiver support is stronger than ever.
Have you discussed long-term care costs and planning with your family? |
BEFORE YOU GO . . .
Do you know someone who could use Care Fully? Forward this newsletter to a fellow caregiver, colleague in HR, or policymaker in your network. The more folks who understand what is at stake and what is possible, the faster we can make change happen.
Until next time,
