Governor Ferguson signs domestic workers bill of rights
Mar 9, 2026, 4:51 PM
A man takes care of a baby. (Photo: Michael Willson, Getty Images)
(Photo: Michael Willson, Getty Images)
Governor Ferguson signed a “bill of rights” for domestic workers into law on Monday.
Starting in July 2027, nannies, housekeepers, and home caregivers will be guaranteed minimum wage, overtime pay, and written contracts.
Democratic state Rep. Brianna Thomas of West Seattle was the prime sponsor of HB 2355. When she was eight years old, she cleaned houses with her mother in Georgia.
“I remember the way people treated us then, like we were less, like we didn’t matter, like we didn’t deserve dignity or respect or a livable wage,” she said at the bill signing ceremony on Monday.
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Democrats celebrate passage, Republicans warned of unintended consequences
Democratic Sen. Rebecca Saldaña celebrated the passage and signing of the bill.
“Domestic work is work,” she said. “It is work that needs to be respected, it is work that is worthy of dignity.”
Republican state Sen. Curtis King argued the bill would hurt independent contractors by adding more regulations.
“If there are things that you don’t like as an independent contractor,” he said on the Senate floor last month, “you don’t go back.”
Republican Sen. Phil Fortunato also spoke out against the bill last month.
“It is actually going to wind up taking food off of their table,” he said.
The new law also bans workplace harassment and retaliation.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
