Concerning health plan coverage of fertility-related services.
Washington's SB 5121 requires most group health plans (excluding small groups) and employer-sponsored health plans to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and standard fertility preservation services. Starting January 1, 2026, plans must cover fertility preservation, and by January 1, 2027, they must cover infertility treatment - including two egg retrieval procedures with unlimited embryo transfers per medical guidelines - and diagnose infertility. The law prohibits higher deductibles, copays, or restrictions for these services compared to other pregnancy-related care and applies to all enrollees, including spouses and nonspouse dependents. It directly affects individuals seeking fertility care, aiming to improve access for people facing infertility, including LGBTQ+ individuals and racial/ethnic minorities.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 12, 2026
Last action Jan 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Bill
→
Substitute Bill
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to expand eligibility by explicitly including small group health plans and adding coverage for physician assistants and nurse practitioners in addition to physicians. The effective dates for infertility coverage were also adjusted to align with the new eligibility rules.
Scope change
The bill now applies to small group health plans in addition to large group plans, and the definition of who can provide infertility services was broadened to include non-physician providers.
ELIGIBILITY
Added 'other than small group health plans' to the requirement that group health plans must cover fertility preservation and infertility treatment, thereby including small group plans in the mandate.
Expanded the list of authorized providers to include physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners alongside licensed and osteopathic physicians.
TIMELINE
Adjusted the text to clarify that the infertility coverage requirement applies to plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, consistent with the small group inclusion.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Jan 12, 2026
Introduced
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Noel Frame
DDemocratic
Co
Adrian Cortes
DDemocratic
Co
Annette Cleveland
DDemocratic
Co
Claire Wilson
DDemocratic
Co
Jamie Pedersen
DDemocratic
Co
Javier Valdez
DDemocratic
Co
Jess Bateman
DDemocratic
Co
Lisa Wellman
DDemocratic
Co
Marcus Riccelli
DDemocratic
Co
Marko Liias
DDemocratic
Co
RS
Rebecca Saldaña
DDemocratic
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