Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5981: 340B drug pricing program
Status: Signed into law, March 25, 2026
Protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program.
What the bill says
An act Relating to protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program; amending RCW 43.71C.100; adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program; amending RCW 43.71C.100; adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that the federal 340B drug pricing program is essential for providing health care access to low-income and uninsured populations. The 340B drug pricing program requires drug manufacturers to offer discounts on outpatient medications to eligible providers that serve these populations. They include federally qualified health centers, Ryan White (HIV) clinics, tribal and urban Indian health centers, critical access hospitals, and other safety net hospitals that meet stringent federal criteria. (2) Congress created the 340B drug pricing program in 1992, stating that the program's benefits enable covered "entities to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services." (H.R. Rep. No. 102-384 (II), at 12 (1992)). The 340B drug pricing program allows certain safety net providers to sustain underfunded services and reinvest savings into essential community benefits, such as financial assistance for low-income patients, no-cost wellness visits, screenings, vaccinations, transportation to appointments, health education classes, case management, medication adherence services, and workforce development programs. (3) The federal health resources and services …
Sponsors
- Annette Cleveland (D) · primary sponsor
- Vandana Slatter (D)
- Paul Harris (R)
- Jessica Bateman (D)
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34)
- Mike Chapman (D)
- Manka Dhingra (D)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- Jamie Pedersen (D)
- Rebecca Saldaña (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 227, 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, 30; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 9, 2026): 30 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 6, 2026): 67 yea, 30 nay, passed
- 2468 Marshall Pg 3 Ln 7 (March 6, 2026): 43 yea, 53 nay, failed
- 2457 Marshall Pg 3 Ln 29 (March 6, 2026): 46 yea, 50 nay, failed
- 2435 Abell Pg 3 Ln 7 (March 6, 2026): 43 yea, 53 nay, failed
- 2434 Engell Pg 2 Ln 26 (March 6, 2026): 40 yea, 56 nay, failed
Subjects: PUBLIC FUNDS AND ACCOUNTS, DRUGS
Common questions
- What is SB5981?
- SB5981 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): 340B drug pricing program.
- What does SB5981 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to protecting patient access to discounted medications and health care services through Washington's health care safety net by preventing manufacturer limitations on the 340B drug pricing program; amending RCW 43.71C.100; adding a new chapter to Title 69 RCW; and prescribing penalties. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB5981?
- Signed into law as of March 25, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 25, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5981?
- Annette Cleveland (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5981?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5981&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.