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WashingtonHB 13952025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Streamlining the home care worker background check process.

Sponsored By: Darya Farivar (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Care clients get more background information

Beginning July 27, 2025, clients choosing individual providers must be told the background-check results and their right to request copies. When results require review, the checking entity must give the client acting as managing employer a copy. It must also provide the Washington arrest and prosecution record on request; sharing the FBI record remains the provider's choice. State or authorized reviewers may choose whether to consider convictions covered by the law's time-based exceptions when assessing care work. If the Department of Social and Health Services or a consumer directed employer approves such an individual provider for a department client, it must give the client and any guardian the state results before care starts. A reviewer’s decision to use or not use this discretion is presumed appropriate, but that presumption can be challenged.

Home care workers can start during reviews

Beginning July 27, 2025, individual providers and home care agency providers awaiting a suitability review may work for up to 30 days. Their check must show no automatically disqualifying conviction, crime, negative action, or pending charge. The employer must not have completed the review and found the provider unable to work. Before care starts, the client or specified parent or guardian must receive written notice, a chance to decline, and instructions. Notice is not required for agency providers employed by the same employer since the previous background check.

Care workers face fewer repeat checks

Beginning July 27, 2025, employers and authorized entities cannot repeat certain suitability reviews of individual or home care agency providers. This covers the same previously reviewed matter that does not automatically bar work, whether found through name-and-birth-date or fingerprint checks. Another review is also barred when more than 10 years have passed since the last such conviction or negative action. The state must set review standards for safety, client rights, and fairness. Fingerprint checks generally occur at initial hire or when federal law requires them. A new managing employer may request one when the last fingerprint on file is at least five years old. An employer may also require one after documenting a reasonable, good-faith belief that new findings may exist. No initial-hire repeat is required for returning workers who have not lived outside Washington since their last fingerprint check.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Alex Ramel

    Democratic • House

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Brandy Donaghy

    Democratic • House

  • Chipalo Street

    Democratic • House

  • Cindy Ryu

    Democratic • House

  • Clyde Shavers

    Democratic • House

  • Dave Paul

    Democratic • House

  • Davina Duerr

    Democratic • House

  • Edwin Obras

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

  • Julio Cortes

    Democratic • House

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Sharlett Mena

    Democratic • House

  • Sharon Wylie

    Democratic • House

  • Shaun Scott

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 168 • No: 75

House vote • 4/18/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 59 • No: 38 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 31 • No: 18

House vote • 3/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 78 • No: 19 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/12/2025House

  2. Chapter 214, 2025 Laws.

    5/12/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    5/12/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/22/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/18/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 59; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/18/2025House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    4/18/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 31; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/14/2025House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/14/2025House

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

    4/14/2025House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    4/7/2025House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/26/2025House

  14. Minority; do not pass.

    3/25/2025House

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

    3/25/2025House

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

    3/14/2025House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 78; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/12/2025House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/12/2025House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/12/2025House

  20. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/12/2025House

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

    3/10/2025House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/6/2025House

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

    2/4/2025House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/4/2025House

  25. PEW - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/4/2025House

Bill Text

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