Washington State Enacts Domestic Worker Protections

New law requires minimum wage, overtime pay, and other benefits for nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Washington state has passed a new Domestic Workers Bill of Rights that will provide minimum wage, overtime pay, and other protections for nannies, housekeepers, and gardeners starting in 2027. The law, sponsored by Rep. Brianna Thomas, aims to address the vulnerability of domestic workers, many of whom are immigrants and people of color.

Why it matters

Domestic workers have historically lacked the same labor protections as other professions, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. This new law in Washington seeks to address that by ensuring basic rights and benefits for this workforce.

The details

The new law requires employers to provide domestic workers who work at least 4 hours per month with minimum wage, overtime pay, written agreements, the ability to file labor claims, and advance notice of termination. It also prohibits employers from retaining workers' legal documents to prevent them from finding other jobs.

  • The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson on March 10, 2026.
  • The new protections will take effect on July 1, 2027.

The players

Rep. Brianna Thomas

The Democratic state representative from West Seattle who sponsored the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

Gov. Bob Ferguson

The governor of Washington state who signed the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights into law.

Ana Bello

A domestic worker in the U.S. for around 5 years who celebrated the passage of the new protections, noting that some employers still view domestic workers as "slaves" and restrict their movement by withholding legal documents.

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What they’re saying

“This industry was born out of slavery and indentured servitude and today we say no more. We say we matter, we're here and we deserve the same protections as anyone else.”

— Rep. Brianna Thomas, State Representative (dailyfly.com)

“There are many people who still view you as a slave. When you don't know the laws … the world closes in on you. You don't have identification, you can't get another job. It's a way to retain not only your papers but yourself.”

— Ana Bello, Domestic Worker (dailyfly.com)

“Perseverance is why we got here today.”

— Gov. Bob Ferguson (dailyfly.com)

What’s next

The new protections will take effect on July 1, 2027, giving domestic workers in Washington state access to minimum wage, overtime pay, and other labor rights.

The takeaway

This new law in Washington state represents an important step forward in providing basic labor protections for domestic workers, many of whom have historically faced exploitation and vulnerability due to the isolated nature of their work. The legislation aims to address the unique challenges faced by this workforce, which is disproportionately made up of immigrants and people of color.