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WashingtonHB 25052025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Exempting certain former foster care providers from adult family home licensure.

Sponsored By: Carolyn Eslick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Qualifying former foster caregivers avoid extra licensing

Beginning June 11, 2026, qualifying former foster caregivers are exempt from Washington's adult family home requirements. One route requires at least 3 years with an active foster family home license. The caregiver must also have provided the youth personal care for at least 3 years when the youth left foster care. A separate route covers caregivers with current or past child-specific license approval from Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Under either route, only former foster youth covered by that route can be unrelated adults receiving personal care in the home. Caregivers must have no founded or substantiated child protective services findings and no final substantiated adult protective services findings. They must also have no pending or prior adverse licensing action when the youth leaves foster care. The department can issue rules to carry out these exemptions.

Qualifying veterans' medical foster homes avoid licensing

Beginning June 11, 2026, qualifying medical foster homes for veterans are exempt from Washington's adult family home requirements. The home must meet the federal definition of a medical foster home and care exclusively for 3 or fewer veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must oversee the home and review it each year. Caregivers must still follow applicable state laws, including required training, certification, and background checks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Carolyn Eslick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Kristine Reeves

    Democratic • House

  • Mari Leavitt

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Tom Dent

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 48 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote • 2/12/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/18/2026House

  2. Chapter 91, 2026 Laws.

    3/18/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/18/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/10/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/9/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/6/2026legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/5/2026House

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/5/2026House

  9. Placed on second reading consent calendar.

    2/27/2026House

  10. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/25/2026House

  11. HS - Majority; do pass.

    2/24/2026House

  12. First reading, referred to Human Services.

    2/16/2026House

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

    2/12/2026House

  14. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2026House

  15. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2026House

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

    2/11/2026House

  17. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    1/30/2026House

  18. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    1/28/2026House

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

    1/28/2026House

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

    1/15/2026House

  21. Introduced

    1/15/2026House

Bill Text

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