Maddy summarySB 6152 adds physical therapists and occupational therapists to the list of authorized "attending providers" for workers' compensation claims in Washington State. This means injured workers can now choose these therapists for treatment, and employers/insurers must cover their services as part of approved care. The bill amends specific statutes (RCW 51.08.200, 51.28.010, and 51.28.020) to include these professions in the definition of eligible providers, alongside existing options like physicians and chiropractors. It directly affects injured workers seeking treatment, insurers processing claims, and healthcare providers who can now bill under workers' compensation. The change expands provider choice without altering benefit eligibility or compensation amounts.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 6071 standardizes timeframes for health insurance carriers to request refunds from health care providers when overpayments occur. It shortens the request window to 12 months (from 24) for most services and 6 months for mental health services, with slightly longer 18/9-month windows for coordination of benefits cases. Providers must be notified in writing with justification, and if they don't contest within 30 days, the refund is automatically accepted. The bill does not affect carriers' ability to recover overpayments directly from patients.
Maddy summarySB 5943 establishes a formal system for deferring school impact fees for single-family residential construction in Washington. It requires counties and cities to offer homeowners three payment options: delaying fees until final inspection, certificate of occupancy, or the first property sale after the building permit is issued. The bill limits deferrals to 18 months, requires recording a lien on the property, and sets a cap of 20 annual deferrals per applicant (with local governments able to allow more after consulting school districts). It also mandates that deferred fees must be paid from seller proceeds at closing and specifies that fees must be proportional to new development costs and used for related school facility improvements.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 5235 aims to update and streamline laws related to public schools in Washington State. It repeals several outdated statutes and reorganizes others to modernize the legal framework for education. The bill amends existing laws concerning how high schools can use funds for dropout prevention, updating accepted activities to align with current "high school and beyond plans." Additionally, it modifies provisions for school meal programs, allowing school facilities to provide meals at cost to children in certain private educational programs and private school students.
Maddy summarySB 5418 updates the laws governing charter school contracts in Washington State. It clarifies which specific state laws charter schools must comply with, including those related to health, safety, civil rights, basic education, and open public meetings, while reaffirming their exemption from other district rules to allow for flexibility. The bill requires authorizers and charter school boards to execute a contract within 90 days of application approval, outlining the necessary content for these agreements, such as academic and operational performance expectations. It also sets the initial charter contract term at five operating years.
Maddy summarySB 5596 repeals Washington State's participation in the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, a multi-state agreement that allowed teachers to transfer licenses more easily between states. The bill removes specific laws (RCW 28A.420.005-.120) that governed this compact, ending Washington’s ability to recognize teaching licenses from other participating states. This directly affects out-of-state teachers seeking to work in Washington schools, as they will no longer qualify for streamlined licensure under the compact and must meet Washington’s full licensing requirements instead. The repeal also modifies the "provisional employee" rules for new teachers but does not change the core process for school districts to nonrenew teaching contracts.
Maddy summarySJR 8212 proposes a constitutional amendment to Washington State's Constitution, changing eligibility requirements for state legislators. It would require candidates to be at least 25 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have no felony or gross misdemeanor convictions, and complete a detailed background investigation within six months of filing. The background check must include criminal history checks, verification of extremist group affiliations, social media review, citizenship confirmation, a psychological exam, and a polygraph. This amendment would apply to all future legislators elected or appointed after ratification, directly affecting candidates for the Washington State Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8672) honoring Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, a Washington State Patrol officer who died in the line of duty on December 19, 2025. The resolution expresses the Senate's condolences to her family, commends her service and embodiment of the Patrol's motto ("Service with Humility"), and extends gratitude to all Washington State Patrol members. It has no policy impact - it is purely symbolic recognition of her life and service, with copies sent to her family and Patrol leadership.
Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 8683), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally honors the Seattle Seahawks for winning the 2025 NFL season, including their regular-season record, NFC West championship, and Super Bowl 60 victory. The resolution expresses the Washington State Senate's appreciation for the team's on-field success and community contributions, with no legal effect or impact on constituents. It was adopted on February 10, 2026, and serves solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition.
Maddy summaryWashington State's SB 6284 creates new consumer protections for artificial intelligence systems that make consequential decisions affecting people's lives. The bill requires businesses deploying "high-risk" AI systems (like those used for housing, loans, employment, or healthcare access) to conduct bias audits before use and disclose when AI influences such decisions. It defines "algorithmic discrimination" as AI causing unlawful bias and sets a risk-based regulatory framework for developers and deployers. The law applies to Washington residents acting as consumers, not in business or employment contexts, and aims to prevent unfair outcomes while supporting innovation.