Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2218: Workers' comp. medical care
Status: In committee, February 4, 2026
Concerning access to medical care in workers' compensation.
What the bill says
An act Relating to access to medical care in workers' compensation; amending RCW 51.36.010, 51.36.010, and 51.36.010; adding a new section to chapter 51.36 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 51.44 RCW; creating new sections; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to access to medical care in workers' compensation; amending RCW 51.36.010, 51.36.010, and 51.36.010; adding a new section to chapter 51.36 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 51.44 RCW; creating new sections; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 51.36 RCW to read as follows: It is the intent of the legislature to increase access to medical treatment in workers' compensation including, but not limited to, making individualized determinations as to whether treatment for workplace injuries and occupational diseases is proper and necessary. Sec. 2. RCW 51.36.010 and 2023 c 171 s 9 are each amended to read as follows: (1)(a) The legislature finds that high quality medical treatment and adherence to occupational health best practices can prevent disability and reduce loss of family income for workers, and lower labor and insurance costs for employers. Injured workers deserve high quality medical care in accordance with current health care best practices. To this end, the department shall establish minimum standards for providers who treat workers from both state fund and self-insured employers. The department shall establish a health care provider network to treat injured workers, and shall accept providers into the network who meet those minimum standards. The department shall convene an advisory group made up …
Sponsors
- Lillian Ortiz-Self (D) · primary sponsor
- Peter Abbarno (R)
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Shelley Kloba (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Leavitt, Mari (D)
- Liz Berry (D)
- Sharlett Mena (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Janice Zahn (D)
- Roger Goodman (D)
- Kristine Reeves (D)
Latest actions
- : Referred to Appropriations.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : LAWS - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 8:00 AM.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards at 10:30 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Labor & Workplace Standards.
- : Prefiled for introduction.
Votes
- House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Common questions
- What is HB2218?
- HB2218 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Workers' comp. medical care.
- What does HB2218 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to access to medical care in workers' compensation; amending RCW 51.36.010, 51.36.010, and 51.36.010; adding a new section to chapter 51.36 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 51.44 RCW; creating new sections; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2218?
- In committee as of February 4, 2026. Latest action: Referred to Appropriations. (February 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2218?
- Lillian Ortiz-Self (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2218?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2218&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.