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WashingtonSB 52392025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

Concerning the retention of hospital medical records.

Sponsored By: Vandana Slatter (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Hospitals keep records for 26 years

Beginning July 27, 2025, Washington hospitals must keep medical records for at least 26 years after creation. This covers new records and older records still kept on that date. It does not cover records already destroyed or disposed of legally under the prior rules. All information collected at each separate visit counts as a medical record. Hospitals can use paper, microfilm, electronic storage, or other media. Other existing record-retention requirements still apply. Hospitals that close must immediately arrange to preserve their records, with approval from the Department of Health. The department must set rules defining which records and information hospitals must keep.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Vandana Slatter

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 147 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    4/22/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 131, 2025 Laws.

    4/22/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/17/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/15/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/14/2025legislature

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 98; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/9/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/9/2025Senate

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

    4/8/2025Senate

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/2/2025Senate

  11. HCW - Majority; do pass.

    4/1/2025Senate

  12. HCW - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/1/2025Senate

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

    2/17/2025Senate

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

    2/12/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/12/2025Senate

  16. 1st substitute bill substituted.

    2/12/2025Senate

  17. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/5/2025Senate

  18. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    1/27/2025Senate

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

    1/24/2025Senate

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

    1/14/2025Senate

  21. Introduced

    1/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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