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WashingtonHB 18242025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning inspections for accredited birthing centers.

Sponsored By: Stephanie Barnard (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Accredited birthing centers can skip state surveys

Beginning July 27, 2025, accredited Washington birthing centers are exempt from routine state licensing surveys when three conditions are met. The Department of Health must find the accreditor’s survey standards substantially equivalent to state standards. The center must have had an on-site accreditation survey within the previous 36 months. The department must receive the latest survey report and other relevant reports or findings showing compliance with licensing requirements. It can still survey services the accreditor does not cover and conduct validation surveys of up to 10% of accredited applicants. Initial licensing rules and state enforcement powers remain unchanged. The department must use the most flexible reading allowed by law when comparing standards. If it finds the standards inadequate, it must notify affected centers, detail the deficiencies, and explain risks to consumers. Decisions about whether standards are equivalent remain subject to state administrative procedures and judicial review. The department continues inspections and investigations and can require construction plans for review.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stephanie Barnard

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 95 • No: 0 • Other: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/16/2025House

  2. Chapter 69, 2025 Laws.

    4/16/2025House

  3. Governor signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/11/2025legislature

  5. President signed.

    4/10/2025legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    4/9/2025legislature

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

    4/4/2025House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/4/2025House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/26/2025House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    3/21/2025House

  11. HLTC - Majority; do pass.

    3/20/2025House

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

    3/6/2025House

  13. Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/4/2025House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/4/2025House

  15. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/4/2025House

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

    2/28/2025House

  17. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/21/2025House

  18. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/19/2025House

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

    2/19/2025House

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

    2/4/2025House

  21. Introduced

    2/4/2025House

Bill Text

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