OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Leader Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, today secured unanimous passage of a bill that would grant a tax credit to people who serve as caregivers to older family members at home.

House Bill 1368 – the Caring for Caregivers bill – would allow a tax credit to individuals who are caring for family members who are over the age of 62 and meets specific qualifications. The tax credit is up to $2,000 per year or up to $3,000 per year if the family member is a veteran or has Alzheimer's or related dementias. The credit is for out-of-pocket costs incurred by the unpaid family caregiver for a limited set of services. It is capped at $1.5 million per year.

"So many people selflessly choose to care for an ailing family member," West said. "This often comes at great personal expense. This bill is a way to help compensate them for their out-of-pocket expenses. This also supports their choice to take care of their own rather than having to rely on an outside source to care for their loved one."

The House overwhelmingly passed the same legislation last year, but it did not advance in the state Senate. This year's version again gained bipartisan support and passed unanimously.

It now moves to the Senate where it is authored by Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton.