The bill aims to authorize payment for parental caregivers of minor children with developmental disabilities in Washington State. It recognizes the challenges faced by families in securing adequate care for their children, particularly due to a shortage of trained caregivers and the unique needs of these children. The legislation highlights the importance of stable and familiar caregivers and notes that allowing parents to be compensated for their caregiving can lead to better outcomes for children and cost savings for taxpayers. The bill also references updated guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, encouraging states to consider paying legally responsible individuals, such as parents, for caregiving services.

To implement this, the bill mandates that by January 31, 2026, the administration must request amendments to existing home and community-based services waivers to allow for payments to parents providing extraordinary care to their minor children. It outlines the process for authorizing these payments, including the establishment of rules for assessing personal care hours and the option for parental caregivers to be employed as individual providers. The bill defines "extraordinary care" and clarifies that the availability of personal care services for non-minor clients remains unaffected. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance support for families of children with developmental disabilities through fair compensation for parental caregiving.