Rep. Cindy Ryu

Maddy summaryHB 2294 bans private agreements that prevent grocery stores or pharmacies from operating on property where they would otherwise be allowed under local zoning laws. This directly affects property owners, developers, and retailers subject to restrictive covenants or leases that limit food and medicine access. The law prohibits rules restricting store types, sizes, or locations - except for pre-existing agreements or store relocations meeting specific criteria like proximity and timing. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general and local governments through existing consumer protection laws.

Maddy summaryHB 2531 adjusts how ambulance transport providers in Washington pay a quality assurance fee to align with federal Medicaid reimbursement rules. It replaces the previous 5.5% fee calculation with a new method based on federal reimbursement rates and actual emergency transport data, requiring annual adjustments. The fee funds emergency ambulance services through Medicaid reimbursements without reducing existing state funding, and providers must pay quarterly based on their prior-quarter transports. This directly affects all ambulance transport providers in Washington who serve Medicaid patients.

Maddy summaryHB 2230 streamlines oversight for community residential service providers that support people with developmental disabilities, directly affecting these providers and the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). The bill limits DSHS to one annual review per provider per category (such as finances, service plans, or quality assurance) and requires departments to share documents across divisions to avoid duplicate requests. Exceptions apply for investigations, incident reports, or federally mandated reviews. This reduces administrative burden, allowing more resources to focus on direct client support rather than overlapping paperwork.

Maddy summaryHB 2088 creates a multi-state licensure compact for dietitians, allowing licensed professionals to practice across participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each location. The bill establishes a "compact privilege" that recognizes a dietitian's home-state license as valid in other member states, eliminating the need for duplicate licensing. It directly affects licensed dietitians (especially those relocating, including military members and spouses), patients seeking care across state lines, and participating states' regulatory systems. Key mechanisms include standardized requirements for practice, shared data systems for disciplinary information, and provisions to protect public health while reducing administrative burdens on both professionals and states.

Maddy summaryHB 2152, titled "Ryan's law," allows terminally ill patients with a qualifying medical condition to use cannabis in hospitals, nursing homes (excluding some residential facilities), and hospice care centers starting January 1, 2027. Facilities must establish written policies prohibiting smoking/vaping, requiring secure storage, documenting use in medical records, and having patients or their designated providers manage cannabis. Patients must provide valid authorization, and staff cannot administer or retrieve cannabis. The law excludes emergency departments and does not require facilities to comply if federal agencies block it, though it clarifies federal scheduling alone cannot override the policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2107 requires Washington construction site inspectors to provide employers or owners with written notice within 10 working days when they identify an immediate safety hazard during inspections that could cause worker injury. This applies specifically to residential building and general construction projects under the North American Industry Classification System. The law, effective until June 30, 2026, mandates this notice but does not change inspectors' existing authority or the employer's obligation to correct hazards. It also requires the Department of Labor to report by December 1, 2026, on instances where timely notice wasn't given and the reasons for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2606 creates an Office of Privacy and Data Protection within Washington State's government to centralize data privacy oversight. It requires the office to conduct annual privacy reviews and training for state agencies, develop privacy best practices, coordinate data protection efforts (including for AI projects), and serve as a resource for local governments and the public on data privacy. The bill mandates that the office submit detailed performance reports to the legislature every four years, tracking metrics like training participation, public contacts, privacy assessments completed, and coordination with privacy experts. These reports must demonstrate progress on improving privacy policies and practices across state agencies and local governments.

Maddy summaryHB 2492 requires state-registered plumbing apprenticeships in Washington to include four hours of approved behavioral health and wellness training as part of their continuing education requirements. This applies directly to apprentices in the plumbing construction trade who need to maintain their certification. The training must cover topics like destigmatizing mental health, recognizing distress, suicide prevention, substance use awareness, and connecting to resources. It modifies existing certification rules (RCW 18.106.070) to allow these hours to count toward the required 24 hours of annual continuing education. The bill does not create new licensing standards but integrates mental health support into existing apprenticeship training.

Maddy summaryHB 2355 establishes minimum wage, overtime, and written contract requirements for domestic workers in Washington State, directly affecting nannies, home care aides, housekeepers, and similar workers employed in private residences. The bill requires employers to pay at least the state minimum wage (including overtime after 40 hours), provide a written agreement detailing pay, hours, benefits, and termination notice (2 weeks for non-live-in workers, 4 weeks for live-in), and prohibits wage theft like withholding pay. It excludes family members, casual labor (e.g., irregular babysitting), and home care provided through state-funded agencies. The law aims to bring domestic workers under standard labor protections while clarifying exemptions for certain informal or family-based arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 2304 expands the types of condominium buildings eligible for an express warranty of quality and insurance coverage, directly affecting developers of small residential projects. The bill allows developers to opt out of standard implied quality guarantees (like structural defects) if they provide an express warranty covering defects for specific periods: 1 year for workmanship, 2 years for systems (plumbing/electrical), and 10 years for structural elements. This applies to new or converted buildings with 12 or fewer units, including accessory dwelling units and structures under four stories (with specific configurations like parking or commercial space). Purchasers and future owners gain recourse through this warranty, while developers avoid implied warranty liabilities when meeting the coverage requirements. The change aims to streamline development for smaller condo projects without altering core buyer protections.