Rep. Lisa Callan

Maddy summaryHB 1072 requires Washington's Department of Health to review health care mergers, acquisitions, or joint ventures that could affect access to reproductive, end-of-life, or gender-affirming care. Health care entities must submit applications 60 days before such transactions, detailing how access to these services will be maintained or improved in affected communities. The Department of Health can approve transactions, approve them with conditions, or deny them based on their impact on protected services. This law aims to prevent disruptions to critical care types while requiring transparency in transaction planning.

Maddy summaryHB 1093 amends Washington state law to require medical assistance plans (Medicaid) to cover massage therapy as a "related service" under existing coverage for physical and occupational therapy. This change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need massage therapy for medical conditions, such as chronic pain or injury rehabilitation. The bill updates RCW 74.09.520 to explicitly include massage therapy within covered services, aligning it with other therapeutic treatments. Coverage remains subject to available funding, as specified in other sections of the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1259 establishes new standards for supervision requirements that behavioral health professionals must meet to work in Washington state public schools. It requires collaboration between the Student Achievement Council, institutions offering behavioral health programs, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to create these standards. The bill specifically affects licensed professionals including advanced clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and mental health counselors working in elementary and secondary schools. These standards will help ensure these professionals meet licensing and certification requirements while providing services in schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Washington's health authority to pay home health agencies for complex medical care provided by family caregivers to children under 18 with significant medical needs. It mandates that caregivers (parents, guardians, or close family) complete 75 hours of training from an accredited agency, receive care supervision from a registered nurse, and work for a licensed home health agency. The program, effective September 2026, limits eligibility to the child's income only (not household income), prohibits caregivers from repaying training costs, and requires a 2029 report on the program's effectiveness. It covers specific medical tasks like medication administration, tracheostomy care, and feeding support provided under nursing supervision.

Maddy summaryHB 1550 requires electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers and sellers in Washington to cover the cost of responsibly managing batteries when they reach the end of their life in vehicles. It directly affects EV manufacturers, dealers, and battery providers who sell new propulsion batteries in the state. The bill establishes a system prioritizing reuse (like repurposing for energy storage), repair, or remanufacturing before recycling, and mandates that battery providers fund recycling programs through a new state framework. This updates Washington’s existing battery management rules to specifically address EV batteries, which were previously excluded from producer responsibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1714 allows small businesses with 20 or fewer employees to form joint self-insurance programs for property damage and liability claims, pooling resources to cover risks traditionally managed through commercial insurance. It requires state approval for all such programs, mandates reporting to the state risk manager, and designates the state risk manager as the legal representative for all lawsuits against the program. Participants must establish reserve funds and comply with specific operational standards, while excluding businesses already self-insuring or part of other regulated risk pools. This bill creates a new regulatory framework for small business risk pooling under Washington state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1211 would require clergy, including ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders, to report suspected child abuse and neglect in Washington state. This bill amends the state's child abuse reporting law (RCW 26.44.020 and 26.44.030) to remove a previous exemption for clergy, making them mandated reporters under the same standards as other professionals. The key change broadens the definition of "member of the clergy" to include diverse religious leaders and integrates them into the reporting framework. This directly affects religious leaders who interact with children in Washington, requiring them to report suspicions of abuse or neglect to child protective services.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 establishes a permanent ninth grade success grant program to fund school-based teams that identify and support ninth-grade students at risk of not graduating. The program, administered by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, prioritizes public schools with low ninth-grade on-track rates or below-average graduation rates, particularly in underserved communities. Grant funds cover team member compensation, professional development, substitute teachers for program duties, and direct student supports. Schools must report annually on participation, student demographics, and outcomes like on-track rates and graduation data through 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all cities and towns in Washington to allow child care centers (including converting existing buildings) as an outright permitted use in every zoning area except industrial zones, without needing special approval. It permits local governments to impose minor restrictions on permits, such as designated pickup/drop-off areas. Cities required to update comprehensive plans in 2027 must incorporate these rules by then, while all other cities must implement them within two years of the law taking effect. The policy directly affects child care providers seeking locations and local governments managing zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 1016 creates a 20% tax credit for Washington employers hiring qualified veterans or spouses of active-duty military members, up to $3,000 per employee annually. To qualify, employees must work full-time (35+ hours/week) for two consecutive quarters, and employers must claim credits electronically. The credit is capped at $5 million total per fiscal year across both this bill and a related provision, with credits expiring for tax years after 2036. This directly affects employers in Washington who hire eligible military-affiliated workers, aiming to incentivize veteran/military family employment through tax relief.