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WashingtonSB 58472025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Concerning access to medical care in workers' compensation.

Sponsored By: Rebecca Saldaña (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Better care standards throughout workers’ recovery

Beginning June 11, 2026, network providers must follow state coverage decisions, treatment guidelines, and policies when medically appropriate. They must also follow appropriate national treatment guidelines; the updated statutory version takes effect June 30, 2027. Labor & Industries must develop best practices and provider incentives for the full recovery period, not just the first 12 weeks. Incentives for occupational health center providers must reward measurable progress throughout the worker’s care. These incentives pay providers, not workers.

Firm treatment review deadlines for injured workers

Treatment reviewers have 10 business days to finish reviews and send recommendations after receiving all requested information needed for a recommendation. If they miss that deadline, the treatment must be authorized. When the treatment’s link to the work injury or disease is questioned, Labor & Industries must issue a decision. That decision is due within 30 days after the review deadline.

Injured workers keep their provider choice

After learning of an injury, employers must explain the worker’s right to choose an initial or emergency care provider. Workers can also choose a network provider for further treatment. Employers cannot require or pressure workers to use a specific provider or clinic. State-fund employers face penalties of $250 to $2,500 per violation; repeated violations can exclude them from retrospective rating programs. Self-insured employers also face enforcement under workers’ compensation law.

More continued care options for disabled workers

After denying a claim reopening, Labor & Industries can approve continued care for previously accepted conditions in the same order. This option covers care needed to protect life or provide medical or therapeutic measures, but excludes Schedule I–IV drugs for ongoing injury pain. A supervisor can also approve necessary continued care for previously accepted conditions in permanent-total-disability cases. For either option, the department must receive the approval request within 120 days after treatment. A written supervisor order is required.

More nearby care choices for injured workers

If no willing network provider is available within 25 miles of home, workers can notify Labor & Industries or their self-insured employer. After receiving the worker’s signed declaration, the agency or employer has 10 calendar days to help find a provider. If none is found, care can start with a nonnetwork provider within 25 miles who accepts state care and fee rules, before completing the provider agreement or application. Beginning January 1, 2028, qualifying nonnetwork providers can serve as attending providers when licensed for the work they perform. The law applies to all claims, regardless of when the injury happened or the condition appeared; each provision’s dates and requirements still apply.

Ongoing cancer monitoring for injured workers

When cancer is accepted in a workers’ compensation claim, Labor & Industries or the self-insured employer must keep paying for monitoring. Coverage includes needed diagnostic tests and related medical consultations. Monitoring occurs as often as the worker’s treating cancer doctor recommends.

More claims staff to help injured workers

Labor & Industries can hire additional claims managers to reach an average of 141 claims per manager. Beginning July 1, 2031, staffing can follow a national average studied at least every five years. Hiring under this authority requires smaller caseloads and more frequent case reviews. The department needs no legislative appropriation for this spending, but funds remain subject to state budget allotment controls. Those funds can only hire and retain managers needed to meet the caseload targets.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rebecca Saldaña

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Hasegawa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Claire Wilson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • Senate

  • Javier Valdez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Liz Lovelett

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marcus Riccelli

    Democratic • Senate

  • Paul Harris

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon Shewmake

    Democratic • Senate

  • Steve Conway

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tina Orwall

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yasmin Trudeau

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 127 • No: 65

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 30 • No: 19

House vote • 3/6/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 67 • No: 28 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/13/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 30 • No: 18 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*.

    3/24/2026Senate

  2. Chapter 175, 2026 Laws.

    3/24/2026Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    3/24/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    3/10/2026Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    3/10/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/6/2026Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/6/2026Senate

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted as amended.

    3/6/2026Senate

  12. Committee amendment not adopted.

    3/6/2026Senate

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

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    3/2/2026Senate

  15. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/2/2026Senate

  16. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/2/2026Senate

  17. Minority; do not pass.

    3/2/2026Senate

  18. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s) but without amendment(s) by Labor & Workplace Standards.

    3/2/2026Senate

  19. Referred to Appropriations.

    2/25/2026Senate

  20. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/24/2026Senate

  21. LAWS - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/24/2026Senate

  22. LAWS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/24/2026Senate

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

    2/17/2026Senate

  24. Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/13/2026Senate

  25. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/13/2026Senate

Bill Text

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