Concerning senior independent housing.
HB 1542 establishes specific rights for residents in senior independent housing communities - defined as housing for people 55+ who live independently without medical assistance (excluding assisted living or nursing homes). It guarantees rights including freedom from discrimination, the ability to install security devices like cameras, organize meetings, and receive timely emergency responses from management. Violations by housing providers would be treated as unfair trade practices under Washington’s consumer protection law (Chapter 19.86 RCW). The law directly affects senior residents and their housing providers, creating enforceable standards for treatment and safety.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Feb 2, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to reflect its progression from an original House Bill to a Substitute Bill, updating the bill number and sponsorship details to show it was referred to the Housing Committee. The most significant substantive change is the removal of a requirement for the state department to submit a detailed report on senior independent housing by July 1, 2026, which previously mandated data collection on providers and policy recommendations. Consequently, the final section defining the new chapter in the RCW was adjusted to reference only the remaining sections.
Scope change
The bill's scope regarding future oversight was reduced by eliminating the mandate for a state report on senior independent housing.
TECHNICAL
Updated bill identifier from 'H-0730.1' to 'H-1385.1' and changed the title from 'HOUSE BILL 1542' to 'SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1542' to reflect legislative processing.
Updated the reading date from January 23, 2025, to February 14, 2025, and added the committee referral information to the sponsor line.
Adjusted Section 5 to state that Sections 1 through 3 constitute the new chapter, replacing the previous reference to Sections 1 through 4.
REQUIREMENT
Deleted Section 4, which required the state department to submit a report on senior independent housing data and policy recommendations by July 1, 2026.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
8
Committee
11
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Referred to Appropriations.
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Housing at 8:00 AM.
lower
Jan 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Housing.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rules Committee relieved of further consideration.
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
lower
Feb 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Housing at 4:00 PM.
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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