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SB 5672

Concerning the Washington auto theft prevention authority account.

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Conway and 6 co-sponsors

Temporarily lets WA Dept of Health extend home care aide certification beyond 200 days for long-term care workers, until 12/31/2027 (90 days after the 2026 audit adjournment).

Senate Rules "X" file.
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Bill Summary · SB 5672

Summary — SB 5672

Status: Enacted (chapter 341, 2025 Laws). Governor signed 5/17/2025; effective 5/17/2025. (Bill number SB 5672 carried different subject matter across sessions; see “Background & history.”)

One‑line summary

SB 5672, as finally passed in 2025, temporarily allows the Washington Department of Health to adopt rules giving long‑term care workers extra time beyond the standard 200 days to obtain home care aide certification while the Office of the State Auditor completes a 2026 biennial performance audit. The rule authority and exception expire (statutory sunset) at the end of 2027.

Key provisions (2025 enacted version — home care aide certification)

  • Adds a new section to chapter 18.88B RCW authorizing the Department of Health to adopt rules that grant long‑term care workers additional time to become certified home care aides while the Office of the State Auditor completes its 2026 biennial performance audit on training and competency assessments.
  • Rules adopted under this authority remain effective until 90 days after adjournment of the legislative session following publication of the 2026 audit.
  • The added section explicitly expires December 31, 2027.
  • Amends RCW 18.88B.021 to recognize the new temporary rule exception to the 200‑day certification requirement and to retain existing emergency/pandemic rule authority and review/reporting requirements.
  • Department of Health must adopt implementing rules.

Who is affected
- Long‑term care workers (individual providers, direct care workers in home care agencies, providers serving people with developmental disabilities, respite care providers, and direct care workers in assisted living/adult family homes) who otherwise must be certified within 200 days of hire.
- Employers of long‑term care workers and the Department of Health (rulemaking and compliance monitoring).
- Office of the State Auditor (its biennial audit triggers and justifies the temporary rule authority).

Timing and sunset
- Law effective upon enactment (signed 5/17/2025).
- Temporary rule authority tied to publication of the 2026 audit; statutory section sunsets December 31, 2027.

Background & legislative history highlights

  • SB 5672 carried different content in the 2023 session focused on the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) account (proposals included shifting traffic‑surcharge revenue and adding an annual $7M insurance premium‑tax deposit). That 2023 vehicle‑theft version was amended several times (including removing use for state confinement costs and adding a null‑and‑void‑unless‑funded clause).
  • The bill number was reused in 2025 for the home care aide certification measure. The 2025 bill passed both chambers unanimously and was signed into law (Chapter 341, 2025 Laws).

If you want, I can:
- Extract the exact statutory language changes (redline) for RCW 18.88B.021 and the new section; or
- Provide an implementation checklist for the Department of Health and employers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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