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WashingtonHB 21102025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Concerning personnel for ambulance service interfacility specialty care transports.

Sponsored By: Joe Schmick (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Clear rules for specialty transports and stretchers

The law defines specialty care transport as an interfacility trip for a critically ill or injured patient who needs a doctor, a skilled RN, or a paramedic. It also clarifies what counts as a stretcher: wheeled or portable stretchers, stair chairs, backboards, scoop, basket, and flexible stretchers. It does not include personal mobility devices like wheelchairs or personal gurneys that the patient owns or has leased for at least one week.

RNs can staff specialty hospital transports

The law lets a registered nurse without EMT certification ride on an ambulance for an interfacility specialty care transport. An EMT must also be on the ambulance. The nurse must have the right skills and follow the sending or receiving doctor’s orders, within nursing rules. This applies only when no paramedic at the ambulance service is available and the sending hospital has no RN with EMT certification available. The hospital must confirm the nurse knows the ambulance’s equipment and supplies before the trip.

Stronger ambulance staffing and rural driver rules

The law sets staffing for all ambulances. At least one EMT rides and attends the patient. If two or more EMTs are present, a nondriving EMT is in command and stays with the patient. The driver must hold advanced first aid unless two EMTs attend the patient. In approved rural services with too few staff, a driver without medical training may drive if age 18+, passes a department-approved background check, holds an unrestricted license, rides with a nondriving EMT, and gives care only at their training level.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joe Schmick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Adam Bernbaum

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Engell

    Republican • House

  • Dan Griffey

    Republican • House

  • David Stuebe

    Republican • House

  • Janice Zahn

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Graham

    Republican • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Matt Marshall

    Republican • House

  • Stephanie Barnard

    Republican • House

  • Steve Tharinger

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 238 • No: 0

House vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/3/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/10/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 94 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026House

  2. Chapter 193, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  8. Passed final passage; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    3/3/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/27/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  14. HLTC - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026House

  15. First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.

    2/12/2026House

  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.

    2/10/2026House

  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/10/2026House

  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/10/2026House

  19. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/10/2026House

  20. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    2/6/2026House

  21. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/27/2026House

  22. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/21/2026House

  23. HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/21/2026House

  24. First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.

    1/12/2026House

  25. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/8/2025House

Bill Text

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