The Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee convened on March 21, 2025, to discuss several key pieces of legislation aimed at improving healthcare and caregiver support in Washington State. The meeting began with an executive session where four bills were passed with recommendations to the Rules Committee.

The first item on the agenda was House Bill 1287, which addresses the disclosure of health information for care coordination. The committee unanimously voted in favor of the bill, sending it to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

Next, House Bill 1640 was discussed, which places licenses issued under specific chapters of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) under the authority of the Uniform Disciplinary Act. This bill also received unanimous support and was passed to the Rules Committee.

The committee then moved on to substitute House Bill 1669, concerning coverage requirements for prosthetic limbs and custom orthotic braces. Similar to the previous bills, it passed without opposition and was sent to the Rules Committee.

The final bill in the executive session was engrossed substitute House Bill 1718, which focuses on well-being programs for certain healthcare professionals. This bill also passed unanimously and was forwarded to the Rules Committee.

Following the executive session, the committee opened a hearing on engrossed substitute House Bill 1395, which aims to streamline the background check process for home care workers. Julie Tran, staff to the committee, provided a briefing on the bill, highlighting its intent to simplify the current convoluted background check system while maintaining necessary protections.

The bill proposes three significant changes: it allows employers to forgo a character competence and suitability review if a review has already been conducted for a prior conviction or if more than ten years have passed since the last non-disqualifying action; it permits long-term care workers to work with unsupervised access to vulnerable populations for up to 30 days while a review is conducted; and it limits the circumstances under which fingerprint-based background checks are required.

Testimonies were presented by caregivers and advocates, including Shane Trescott from SEIU 775, who emphasized the need for reform to prevent delays in care that negatively impact both workers and clients. Neli Prieto shared a personal and tragic story about the consequences of the current background check process, advocating for the bill's passage to prevent similar situations in the future.

Representative Daria Farovar, the prime sponsor of House Bill 1395, expressed her support for the bill, highlighting its potential to reduce stigma while ensuring safety and care quality. She noted the collaborative effort involved in crafting the legislation, which included input from various stakeholders.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue discussions on the bill and its implications for caregivers and the healthcare system in Washington State. The committee's actions reflect a focused effort to enhance the support and efficiency of care for vulnerable populations while addressing the challenges faced by caregivers.