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WashingtonSB 58372025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning guardianship, conservatorship, and other protective arrangements.

Sponsored By: Jamie Pedersen (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Clearer orders and stronger privacy

Guardianship and conservatorship orders must say why they are needed and why less‑restrictive options will not work. Orders must list rights kept or removed, name who gets notices, and set deadlines for plans, inventories, and reports. Limited conservatorships must list the property and powers covered. Original letters of office expire 180 days after each appointment anniversary. Within 14 days after a conservator is appointed, the person and entitled parties get the order and a plain‑language rights statement in at least 16‑point font. Case records are public unless sealed at the subject’s request after dismissal or when the case ends; visitor reports and professional evaluations are sealed but can be shared with parties for good cause.

Faster hearings and clearer notices

Adult guardianship petitions must be heard within 60 days after filing, unless the court grants more time for good cause. The petition and hearing notice must be personally served on the respondent and the court visitor within five court days of filing. Notices must be in plain language, double‑spaced, and at least 16‑point font, and list key rights like counsel of choice and a jury trial; the court may not grant the petition without proper notice. Hearings usually cannot proceed without the respondent; if attendance is not feasible, the court must try a nearby location or real‑time video, and can proceed without the person only with specific findings.

New rules for court visitors and fees

In adult guardianship cases, the court must appoint a trained court visitor. For adult protective arrangements, a visitor is required unless the court already appointed a lawyer; in minor conservatorships, the court may appoint one. The court sets the visitor’s hourly rate and a fee cap; the subject usually pays, but the county pays if that would cause hardship. Frivolous petitions can shift the fee to the petitioner, and salaried public employees get no fee. Within five days, the visitor must disclose training, 10‑year criminal history, hourly rate, prior contacts, and conflicts; parties have three days to ask the court to remove the visitor. The visitor must meet the person in‑person, explain rights (including jury trial) and that costs may come from the person’s assets, and seek a lawyer within five days if the person objects or asks. The visitor investigates, visits homes, gathers records, and files a report at least 15 days before the hearing. Naming a visitor does not change an adult’s legal capacity.

Right to a lawyer, with funding

You have the right to a lawyer in guardianship and protective‑arrangement cases. If you are unrepresented and you object, or the court finds your rights are not protected, the court must appoint a lawyer. The court provides a lawyer at public expense if you cannot afford one, paying would cause substantial hardship, or you lack practical access to your funds. If you can afford a lawyer but cannot access your money, the court still appoints one and may order you to repay later. The court must appoint counsel as soon as practicable and far enough before the final hearing to prepare; less than three weeks is presumed not enough.

Supported decision-making: faster acceptance, clear limits

If you present an acknowledged supported decision-making agreement, others must rely on it. If they ask for a certification, they must accept it no later than five business days after they get it. Good‑faith reliance is protected from liability. There are narrow reasons to refuse, like federal law conflicts, actual knowledge the agreement ended, a refused certification, a good‑faith belief it is invalid, or a DSHS abuse report. A wrongful refusal can lead to a court order and payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees. Some people cannot serve as supporters, including most employers, employees, and paid service providers (unless immediate family), and anyone under a no‑contact order.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jamie Pedersen

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jeff Holy

    Republican • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 120 • No: 25

House vote • 3/4/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 73 • No: 23 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 2/11/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 47 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/24/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 177, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/9/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/5/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 73; nays, 23; absent, 0; excused, 2.

    3/4/2026Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2026Senate

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

    3/3/2026Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/25/2026Senate

  11. CRJ - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

  12. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026Senate

  13. CRJ - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026Senate

  14. First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.

    2/14/2026Senate

  15. Third reading, passed; yeas, 47; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/11/2026Senate

  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/11/2026Senate

  17. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/11/2026Senate

  18. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/11/2026Senate

  19. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/6/2026Senate

  20. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/23/2026Senate

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/22/2026Senate

  22. LAW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/22/2026Senate

  23. First reading, referred to Law & Justice.

    1/12/2026Senate

  24. Prefiled for introduction.

    12/5/2025Senate

Bill Text

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