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WashingtonSB 52002025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning veterans' medical foster homes.

Sponsored By: Keith Wagoner (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger protections for medical foster residents

Beginning July 27, 2025, federally defined medical foster homes count as facilities under Washington's vulnerable-adult protection law. Caregivers cannot be employed to care for vulnerable adults or have unsupervised access when covered abuse-registry listings apply. Disqualifying findings cover abuse, abandonment, neglect, or financial exploitation, including disciplinary and court findings involving minors or vulnerable adults. The rule also covers founded child-abuse or neglect findings made on or after October 1, 1998. A certificate of parental improvement prevents disqualification for covered child-abuse or neglect findings, including covered court findings.

Small veterans' homes get licensing exemption

Beginning July 27, 2025, qualifying medical foster homes are exempt from Washington's adult family home licensing chapter. The home must meet the federal medical foster home definition and serve only three or fewer veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs must oversee the home and review it each year. Caregivers still must follow applicable state laws, including required training, certification, and background checks.

Medical foster caregivers face worker rules

Beginning July 27, 2025, qualifying medical foster home caregivers count as long-term care workers in Washington. This applies to caregivers in federally defined medical foster homes who provide paid, hands-on personal care covered by that definition. State rules for long-term care workers apply to them.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Keith Wagoner

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Leonard Christian

    Republican • Senate

  • Phil Fortunato

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 96 • No: 0 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/22/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 108, 2025 Laws.

    4/22/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/17/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/16/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/15/2025legislature

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

    4/10/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/10/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/27/2025Senate

  11. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/25/2025Senate

  12. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    3/25/2025Senate

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

    3/5/2025Senate

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

    3/3/2025Senate

  15. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    3/3/2025Senate

  16. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/3/2025Senate

  17. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    3/3/2025Senate

  18. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/26/2025Senate

  19. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/14/2025Senate

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

    2/13/2025Senate

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

    1/13/2025Senate

  22. Prefiled for introduction.

    1/9/2025Senate

Bill Text

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