Concerning resource and assessment centers.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Sharon Shewmake and 1 co-sponsor

Expands CPA enforcement for CCRCs, letting the AG or individuals sue over practices and requiring entrance-fee coverage disclosure to residents.

Senate Rules "X" file.

SB 5691 — Summary (Continuing Care Retirement Communities regulatory oversight)

Status & key dates
- Bill: SB 5691
- Passed Legislature: Senate concurred in House amendments (4/22/2025). Senate vote 48–0; House vote 72–23.
- Governor signed: 5/12/2025 (Chapter 218, 2025 Laws)
- Effective date: 7/27/2025
- Primary sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (original sponsors Senators Cleveland and Nobles)

Purpose
- Implements recommendations from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) regulatory oversight plan to strengthen consumer protections for residents of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs).

What the law changes (major provisions)
1. Broader application of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA)
- Amends RCW 18.390.080 to declare that practices covered by the CCRC chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest under the Washington Consumer Protection Act (chapter 19.86 RCW).
- A violation of the CCRC chapter is expressly characterized as unfair or deceptive conduct for CPA enforcement.

Expanded enforcement options

Removes statutory limits that previously restricted CPA enforcement to select CCRC violations (e.g., failure to register, disclosure failures, resident expectations) and that allowed only certain enforcement thresholds.
Allows enforcement of the CCRC rules through the Attorney General or by private civil action (private right of action).

Removes Attorney General notice/“pattern” limits

Eliminates the prior requirement that the Attorney General notify CCRC management of complaints (to allow corrective action).
Removes the statutory limitation that the Attorney General pursue non-registration matters only where there is a demonstrated pattern of complaints or similar conduct.

Registration application disclosure

Amends RCW 18.390.030 to require that registration applicants include a written statement indicating whether the residency agreement includes an entrance fee in lieu of payment for future care and services, and if so whether those services are covered completely or partially by the entrance fee.

Who is affected
- CCRCs operating in Washington (there are ~23 CCRCs with ~8,500 residents).
- Current and prospective residents (greater potential protections and transparency about entrance-fee coverage).
- Department of Social and Health Services (administration of registrations and disclosure of the new entrance-fee statement).
- Attorney General and private parties (expanded enforcement authority; private suits possible).
- CCRCs face broader CPA exposure and potential litigation risk; they must ensure registration materials and residency agreements disclose entrance-fee coverage accurately.

Procedural / fiscal notes
- No appropriation was included in the bill; a fiscal note is available.
- The enacted amendments are limited in scope compared with some earlier drafts that contained more extensive financial-reporting and solvency-plan requirements.
- Effective 90 days after adjournment of session (implemented as July 27, 2025).