Washington HB1784: Certified medical assistants

What the bill says

An act Relating to certified medical assistants; amending RCW 18.360.060; reenacting and amending RCW 18.360.050 and 18.360.010; and adding a new section to chapter 18.360 RCW.

From the introduced text:

AN ACT Relating to certified medical assistants; amending RCW 18.360.060; reenacting and amending RCW 18.360.050 and 18.360.010; and adding a new section to chapter 18.360 RCW. Sec. 1. RCW 18.360.050 and 2024 c 248 s 3 and 2024 c 217 s 5 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows: (1) A medical assistant-certified may perform the following duties delegated by, and under the supervision of, a health care practitioner: (a) Fundamental (ii) Procedures for sterilizing equipment and instruments; (iii) Disposing of biohazardous materials; and (iv) Practicing standard precautions. (b) Clinical (ii) Preparing of and assisting in sterile procedures in a setting other than a hospital under chapter 70.41 RCW; (iii) Taking vital signs; (iv) Preparing patients for examination; (v) Capillary blood withdrawal, venipuncture, and intradermal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular injections; and (vi) Observing and reporting patients' signs or symptoms. (c) Specimen (ii) Obtaining specimens for microbiological testing; and (iii) Instructing patients in proper technique to collect urine and fecal specimens. (d) Diagnostic (ii) Respiratory testing; and (iii)(A) Tests waived under the federal clinical laboratory improvement amendments program on July 1, 2013. The department shall periodically update the tests authorized under this subsection (1)(d) based on changes made by the federal clinical laboratory improvement amendments program; and (B) Moderate complexity tests if the medical assistant-certified meets standards for personnel qualifications …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Matt Marshall (R) · primary sponsor
• Tarra Simmons (D)
• Lisa Parshley (D)
• Suzanne Schmidt (R)

Latest actions

1. March 12, 2026: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
2. February 19, 2026: First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
3. February 16, 2026: Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.
4. February 16, 2026: Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
5. February 16, 2026: Floor amendment
6. February 16, 2026: 2nd substitute bill substituted
7. February 12, 2026: Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
8. January 30, 2026: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
9. January 28, 2026: HCW - Majority; 2nd substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
10. January 28, 2026: Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 1:30 PM.

Votes

• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 16, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass (January 28, 2026): 18 yea, 0 nay, passed
• 3rd Reading & Final Passage (March 5, 2025): 97 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 18, 2025): 19 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1784?

HB1784 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Certified medical assistants.

What does HB1784 do?

In its own words: An act Relating to certified medical assistants; amending RCW 18.360.060; reenacting and amending RCW 18.360.050 and 18.360.010; and adding a new section to chapter 18.360 RCW.

What is the status of HB1784?

Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1784?

Matt Marshall (R), with 3 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1784?

On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1784&Year=2025