Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1078: Pet insurance
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Concerning pet insurance.
What the bill says
An act Relating to pet insurance; and amending RCW 48.205.050.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to pet insurance; and amending RCW 48.205.050. Sec. 1. RCW 48.205.050 and 2023 c 42 s 5 are each amended to read as follows: (1) A pet insurer may issue policies that exclude coverage on the basis of one or more preexisting conditions with appropriate disclosure to the consumer. The pet insurer has the burden of proving that the preexisting condition exclusion applies to the condition for which a claim is being made. (2)(a) A pet insurer may issue policies that impose waiting periods upon effectuation of the policy that do not exceed 30 days for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident. Waiting periods for accidents are prohibited. Waiting periods may not be applied to renewals of existing coverage. (b) A pet insurer utilizing a waiting period permitted in (a) of this subsection shall include a provision in its policy that allows the waiting periods to be waived upon completion of a medical examination. Pet insurers may require the examination to be conducted by a licensed veterinarian after the purchase of the policy. (c) A medical examination under (b) of this subsection must be paid for by the policyholder, unless the policy specifies that the pet insurer will pay for the examination. (d) A pet insurer can specify elements to be included as part …
Sponsors
- Amy Walen (D) · primary sponsor
- Cindy Ryu (D)
- Leavitt, Mari (D)
- Lisa Callan (D)
- Darya Farivar (D)
- April Berg (D)
- Brandy Donaghy (D)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to House Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 4:00 PM.
- : Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
- : Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Business, Trade & Economic Development.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 95; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 3.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : 1st substitute bill substituted
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 10, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 30, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: INSURANCE
Common questions
- What is HB1078?
- HB1078 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Pet insurance.
- What does HB1078 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to pet insurance; and amending RCW 48.205.050.
- What is the status of HB1078?
- 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 HB1078?
- Amy Walen (D), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1078?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1078&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.