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WashingtonSB 51282025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning the provision of medical assistance to individuals in juvenile detention facilities.

Sponsored By: Claire Wilson (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Medicaid enrollment protected during confinement

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington protects Medicaid enrollment during covered confinement where federal funding is not allowed. Covered settings include correctional facilities, certain state youth facilities, and institutions for mental disease. Confinement does not affect enrollment during the first 29 days; afterward, existing coverage is suspended, not ended. People without coverage can apply without knowing their release date, including for suspended enrollment during confinement. Eligible people enrolled before confinement or in suspended status must have coverage fully restored by the moment of release. Any expedited eligibility review required by federal or state law still applies. State agencies must standardize screening and applications and coordinate eligibility decisions, benefit cards, and release information. They must also coordinate with Social Security to speed applications for disability benefits.

More health support for detained youth

Washington must arrange health screenings and diagnostic tests for eligible juveniles during the 30 days before release. When that is not possible, services must occur within one week after release, or as soon as practicable. Care coordination must cover at least 30 days before and 30 days after release, or longer when medically necessary. When possible, it must connect youth with providers and services where they will live. The state must use existing Medicaid resources and federal initiatives to implement these changes. An implementation and coordination-barriers report is due December 1, 2025; these temporary requirements expire July 1, 2026.

Washington seeks Medicaid care before release

Washington's Health Care Authority must seek federal permission to provide Medicaid services up to 30 days before release or discharge. Covered settings include correctional facilities and facilities run by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The authority must consult the reentry services work group and notify the governor and legislative committees when it applies. These pre-release services are not required unless the federal Medicaid agency gives final approval.

Required disability exam sharing ends

Covered facilities no longer must send the state health authority examination findings showing that a confined person has a disability. This applies to correctional facilities, institutions for mental disease, and covered state youth facilities. The authority also no longer must use those findings in disability and medical assistance eligibility reviews. This removes a required information-sharing process, not the standards for who qualifies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Wellman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 130 • No: 12

House vote • 3/27/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 90 • No: 3 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/25/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 40 • No: 9

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/4/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 12, 2025 Laws.

    4/4/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    4/4/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/1/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/31/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/28/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 5.

    3/27/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/27/2025Senate

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

    3/25/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/21/2025Senate

  11. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    3/19/2025Senate

  12. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/19/2025Senate

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

    2/28/2025Senate

  14. Third reading, passed; yeas, 40; nays, 9; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    2/25/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/25/2025Senate

  16. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    2/25/2025Senate

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/25/2025Senate

  18. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/5/2025Senate

  19. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/30/2025Senate

  20. HS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

    1/29/2025Senate

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

    1/29/2025Senate

  22. First reading, referred to Human Services.

    1/13/2025Senate

  23. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/2/2025Senate

Bill Text

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