WashingtonWashington board rules must preserve hearing and speech care choices
Since June 11, 2026, Washington's licensing board must let hearing and speech professionals use their judgment to choose remote or in-person care.
What it does
The board must not make rules that stop licensed hearing and speech professionals from choosing remote or in-person care for a patient. It may still enforce care and safety standards that allow that choice.
Argument forProfessionals may be able to match remote or in-person care to each patient's needs, which could make care easier to reach.
Argument againstThe board may still require safety steps, equipment checks, and follow-up, which could add work when professionals provide care remotely.
More detail
The board must not make rules that prevent licensed professionals from using clinical judgment to choose remote or in-person care. The rule applies to licensed audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing aid specialists. The board may still set and enforce care standards, including safety, supervision, equipment, and follow-up requirements, as long as those rules do not prevent that choice. The law took effect June 11, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 185, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Major
- Mar 11President signed.Passed House
- Mar 10Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#29). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Senate concurred in House amendments.
- Mar 3Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 5.Minor
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the House (#29). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Mar 2Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 25Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 25Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 25HCW - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 12First reading, referred to Health Care & Wellness.Minor
- Feb 10Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#22). Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 10Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 101st substitute bill substituted (HLTC 26).Major
- Feb 6Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 4Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 3HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.Major
- Feb 3Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 10:30 AM.
- Jan 30Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 20First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.Introduced
Healthcare