Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington SB6226: Audiologist autonomy
Status: Signed into law, March 24, 2026
Protecting the clinical autonomy of audiologists.
What the bill says
An act Relating to protecting the clinical autonomy of audiologists; amending RCW 18.35.161; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to protecting the clinical autonomy of audiologists; amending RCW 18.35.161; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) Telehealth, including teleaudiology, is an increasingly vital modality for delivering cost-effective, patient-centered health care services that increase quality and expand access to care, as recognized by industry leaders such as the United States department of health and human services, the veterans administration, the American academy of audiology, the American speech-language-hearing association, and the Washington state department of health. (2) As a growing number of Washingtonians come to rely upon telehealth to access essential health care services, regulatory frameworks should support the clinical judgment and autonomy of licensed professionals to determine whether telehealth or in-person treatment is the best solution for a specific patient. (3) Regulation of professional health care services should not create different professional practice standards for telehealth and in-person services. Instead, efforts to regulate professional services should be modality-agnostic and focus on ensuring the applicable standard of care is met. (4) Therefore, it is the legislature's intent to ensure audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and hearing aid specialists maintain autonomy in clinical decision making and determining the appropriate modality for care. Sec. 2. RCW 18.35.161 and 2014 c 189 s 13 are each amended to read as follows: (1) The board shall have the following powers and …
Sponsors
- Paul Harris (R) · primary sponsor
- Tina Orwall (D)
- T'wina Nobles (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 185, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : Speaker signed.
- : President signed.
- : Passed final passage; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Senate concurred in House amendments.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 90; nays, 3; absent, 0; excused, 5.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Votes
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 10, 2026): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Passage as Amended by the House (March 3, 2026): 90 yea, 3 nay, passed
- House Committee on Health Care & Wellness: Do pass as amended (February 25, 2026): 17 yea, 1 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 10, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6226 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass (February 3, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HEALTH CARE PRACTIONERS AND PROVIDERS
Common questions
- What is SB6226?
- SB6226 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Audiologist autonomy.
- What does SB6226 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to protecting the clinical autonomy of audiologists; amending RCW 18.35.161; and creating a new section. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of SB6226?
- Signed into law as of March 24, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 24, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB6226?
- Paul Harris (R), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB6226?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6226&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.