Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5847: Workers' comp. medical care
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 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; 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; 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 of representatives from or designees of the workers' …
Sponsors
- Rebecca Saldaña (D) · primary sponsor
- Paul Harris (R)
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34)
- Yasmin Trudeau (D)
- Jessica Bateman (D)
- Steven Conway (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Liz Lovelett (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Tina Orwall (D)
- Marcus Riccelli (D)
- Sharon Shewmake (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026*.
- : Chapter 175, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 30; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 67; nays, 28; absent, 0; excused, 3.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 10, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 6, 2026): 67 yea, 28 nay, passed
- House Committee on Appropriations: Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards (March 2, 2026): 19 yea, 8 nay, passed
- House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards: Do pass as amended (February 24, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 13, 2026): 30 yea, 18 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Ways & Means: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5847 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass (February 9, 2026): 15 yea, 8 nay, passed
Subjects: WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Common questions
- What is SB5847?
- SB5847 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Workers' comp. medical care.
- What does SB5847 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; creating new sections; providing effective dates; and providing expiration dates. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5847?
- Signed into law as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026*. (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5847?
- Rebecca Saldaña (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5847?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5847&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.