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WashingtonHB 24052025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Establishing a pilot program for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment and research.

Sponsored By: Suzanne Schmidt (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Workers get earlier trauma treatment

Beginning July 1, 2026, workers filing PTSD occupational-disease claims under RCW 51.08.142(2) or (3) can choose treatment before a claim decision. Self-insured employers must choose to participate for their workers to use the pilot. Care includes a diagnostic interview or mental-health evaluation and up to 11 treatment sessions within 90 days of filing. A supervisor may approve up to 12 more sessions if the claim is not allowed within 90 days. Treatment is paid even if the claim is rejected: qualifying state-fund risk classes share those costs, while participating self-insurers pay their own. Once a claim is allowed, treatment must come from a network provider. The department must report recommendations by July 1, 2030; the pilot ends December 31, 2030.

Easier trauma care access for workers

Beginning July 1, 2026, PTSD pilot care is exempt from the usual nonnetwork visit limits and specified accepted-claim treatment-duration limits. Nonnetwork mental-health providers must be qualified, follow department payment rules and fee schedules, and sign a provider agreement. The Washington Department of Labor and Industries may make agreements with experienced, qualified providers and set incentives and service-evaluation standards. Those agreements cannot limit workers’ choice of mental-health provider or organization. Through December 31, 2030, the department may simplify pilot-only forms, documentation, deadlines, reporting, and prior approvals when needed to remove participation barriers.

More trauma care after workers’ claims close

Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible pilot workers can get up to six additional PTSD treatment sessions after claim closure. The department and participating self-insurers must authorize them when needed to maintain the worker’s level of functioning at closure. Sessions must occur within one year after the claim closes. This pilot benefit ends December 31, 2030.

Mental health grants for high-risk workplaces

Beginning July 1, 2026, the department may use return-to-work project funds for workplace behavioral-health grants or contracts. Projects must develop and evaluate programs for jobs with high PTSD risk from repeated trauma. Programs may support suicide prevention, mental-health training, trauma-informed return to work, independent navigators, and supportive workplace cultures. The law sets no funding amount.

Workers’ claim records remain shareable

Beginning July 1, 2026, relevant medical information remains available on request to employers, workers’ representatives, and the department. This access supports claim handling but also lets employers obtain relevant medical records during PTSD pilot treatment before a claim decision. The injury or disease must be the basis of a workers’ compensation claim. The department must consider the information relevant to that particular injury or disease.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Suzanne Schmidt

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Dan Bronoske

    Democratic • House

  • Greg Nance

    Democratic • House

  • Lauren Davis

    Democratic • House

  • Lisa Parshley

    Democratic • House

  • Osman Salahuddin

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 139 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/16/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 90 • No: 1 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/1/2026*.

    3/25/2026House

  2. Chapter 220, 2026 Laws.

    3/25/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/25/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/10/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

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

    3/5/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    3/3/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  11. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026House

  12. LC - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026House

  13. First reading, referred to Labor & Commerce.

    2/18/2026House

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 7.

    2/16/2026House

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/16/2026House

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/16/2026House

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

    2/12/2026House

  18. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/9/2026House

  19. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/9/2026House

  20. APP - Majority; do pass 1st substitute bill proposed by Labor & Workplace Standards.

    2/9/2026House

  21. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/3/2026House

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

    1/30/2026House

  23. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/30/2026House

  24. First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.

    1/13/2026House

  25. Introduced

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

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