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WashingtonSB 56722025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Delaying the home care aide certification requirements.

Sponsored By: Ron Muzzall (Republican)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Extra certification time during emergencies

During a declared emergency, like a pandemic or disaster, the Department of Health can grant extra time to finish certification. The extra time lasts until the emergency ends or the Department decides it is no longer needed. The Department must repeal the rule when it is no longer needed. Within 12 months after the emergency ends, the Department reviews compliance and reports to the Legislature.

More time to certify during audit

The Department of Health gives long-term care workers more time to get certified while the state completes the 2026 audit. These special rules stay in place until 90 days after the Legislature adjourns the session after the audit is published. This temporary authority ends December 31, 2027. The Department must adopt rules to carry out these timelines. The law took effect May 19, 2025.

200-day certification for home care workers

If you are hired as a long-term care worker, you must become a certified home care aide within 200 calendar days. If you change employers or return after leaving and are not currently certified, your 200-day clock restarts. Some workers are exempt under state law, and temporary audit-related rules can extend the deadline.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ron Muzzall

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Annette Cleveland

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Chapman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Perry Dozier

    Republican • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 193 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/21/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 5/17/2025.

    5/23/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 341, 2025 Laws.

    5/17/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/17/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/24/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/23/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/21/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/21/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    4/14/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/14/2025Senate

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

    4/11/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/28/2025Senate

  14. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    3/26/2025Senate

  15. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/26/2025Senate

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

    3/5/2025Senate

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

    3/3/2025Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2025Senate

  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/26/2025Senate

  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/21/2025Senate

  21. HLTC - Majority; do pass.

    2/21/2025Senate

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

    2/5/2025Senate

  23. Introduced

    2/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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