Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1496: Health care information
Status: In committee, February 19, 2026
Strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information.
What the bill says
An act Relating to strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information by promoting access to information and providing enforcement protections for the appropriate use of the information; amending RCW 70.02.010, 70.02.010, 70.02.030, 70.02.080, 70.02.090, 70.02.170, and 70.02.220; reenacting and amending RCW 70.02.260; adding a new section to chapter 70.02 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information by promoting access to information and providing enforcement protections for the appropriate use of the information; amending RCW 70.02.010, 70.02.010, 70.02.030, 70.02.080, 70.02.090, 70.02.170, and 70.02.220; reenacting and amending RCW 70.02.260; adding a new section to chapter 70.02 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 70.02 RCW to read as follows: (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, RCW 70.02.370, and the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and its implementing regulations, a health care provider or health care facility may charge a reasonable fee for providing health care information to a person and is not required to honor an authorization until the fee is paid. (2)(a) A health care provider or health care facility may not charge a fee of more than $50 for providing a patient's health care information that is stored electronically at the time of the request and delivered in an electronic format (ii) The patient's representative, including a person authorized to consent to health care for the patient under RCW 70.02.130; (iii) A licensed attorney who is representing the patient; or (iv) A community-based or system-based advocate designated by the patient. (b) The …
Sponsors
- Liz Berry (D) · primary sponsor
- Dan Bronoske (D)
- Peter Abbarno (R)
- Debra Lekanoff (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Daniel Griffey (R)
- Tarra Simmons (D)
- Roger Goodman (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Timm Ormsby (D)
Latest actions
- : House Rules "X" file.
- : Returned to Rules Committee for second reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : Committee relieved of further consideration.
- : Referred to Appropriations.
- : Minority; without recommendation.
- : HCW - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Health Care & Wellness at 8:00 AM.
Votes
- House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 30, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH AND SAFETY, PUBLIC
Common questions
- What is HB1496?
- HB1496 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Health care information.
- What does HB1496 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to strengthening patients' rights regarding their health care information by promoting access to information and providing enforcement protections for the appropriate use of the information; amending RCW 70.02.010, 70.02.010, 70.02.030, 70.02.080, 70.02.090, 70.02.170, and 70.02.220; reenacting and amending RCW 70.02.260; adding a new section to chapter 70.02 RCW; providing an effective date; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB1496?
- In committee as of February 19, 2026. Latest action: House Rules "X" file. (February 19, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1496?
- Liz Berry (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1496?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1496&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.