MSPs will pressure the next Scottish Government on how it will move towards Frank’s Law.
Holyrood’s Public Petitions Committee will take forward Amanda Kopel’s campaign into the parliamentary session following May’s election.
The Kirriemuir campaigner wants to close a loophole that means people suffering from degenerative diseases have to pay for home care because they are under 65 after watching her husband, Dundee United legend Frank, battle dementia for six years.
She said: “I’m delighted they are going to carry the petition on. They could have just drawn a line under it if they had wanted to.
“Somebody asked me if I ever felt like Frank’s Law will not be introduced in my lifetime. Of course it will be.
“It might take another few years but yes, it will. I’ve had more support than ever in these past few weeks.”
The Kopel family had to pay out hundreds of pounds each week because Frank was diagnosed with dementia at the age of just 59.
Free personal care in Scotland only covers the over-65s. The former footballer died just weeks after his 65th birthday. The Courier is backing the campaign.
In an email from Holyrood officials, Mrs Kopel was told: “The committee agreed to include it in its legacy paper for its successor committee.
“This means the petition remains open and so the next time your petition will be considered will be after the May election when the new Parliament has been established.”
The decision was made at a meeting of the committee earlier this week, with Holyrood due to dissolve on March 23.
Scottish Government ministers have given councils £6 million to raise the threshold at which people begin to pay for care at home in what Health Secretary Shona Robison called the “first step” toward Frank’s Law.