Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB5993: Medical debt interest
Status: Passed one chamber, March 12, 2026
Prohibiting interest charges for new and unpaid medical debt.
What the bill says
An act Relating to lowering the interest rate for medical debt; and amending RCW 19.52.010.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to lowering the interest rate for medical debt; and amending RCW 19.52.010. Sec. 1. RCW 19.52.010 and 2019 c 227 s 5 are each amended to read as follows: (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, every loan or forbearance of money, goods, or thing in action shall bear interest at the rate of twelve percent per annum where no different rate is agreed to in writing between the parties: PROVIDED, That with regard to any transaction heretofore or hereafter entered into subject to this section, if an agreement in writing between the parties evidencing such transaction provides for the payment of money at the end of an agreed period of time or in installments over an agreed period of time, then such agreement shall constitute a writing for purposes of this section and satisfy the requirements thereof. The discounting of commercial paper, where the borrower makes himself or herself liable as maker, guarantor, or indorser, shall be considered as a loan for the purposes of this chapter. (2)(a) ((Prejudgment))For any medical debt accrued after December 31, 2026, interest may not be charged or collected ((on))in excess of a simple interest rate of one percent per year on new medical debt, as defined in RCW 19.16.100, ((must not exceed nine percent))whether before or after …
Sponsors
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34) · primary sponsor
- Marcus Riccelli (D)
- Jessica Bateman (D)
- Steven Conway (D)
- Noel Frame (D)
- Robert Hasegawa (D)
- Marko Liias (D)
- Liz Lovelett (D)
- John Lovick (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
- Tina Orwall (D)
- Vandana Slatter (D)
Latest actions
- : By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.
- : Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.
- : Referred to Rules 2 Review.
- : Minority; do not pass.
- : CRJ - Majority; do pass.
- : Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.
- : Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM.
- : First reading, referred to Civil Rights & Judiciary.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 29; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary: Do pass (February 24, 2026): 7 yea, 5 nay, passed
- 549 Wagoner Pg 1 Ln 20 (February 6, 2026): 19 yea, 29 nay, failed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 6, 2026): 29 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Law & Justice: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5993 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (January 22, 2026): 5 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: CIVIL ACTIONS AND PROCEDURE
Common questions
- What is SB5993?
- SB5993 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Medical debt interest.
- What does SB5993 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to lowering the interest rate for medical debt; and amending RCW 19.52.010.
- What is the status of SB5993?
- Passed one chamber as of March 12, 2026. Latest action: By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (March 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB5993?
- Emily Alvarado (D, 34), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB5993?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5993&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.