WA People
BILL · 2017–18 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5998

SB 5998: Health care whistleblowers

Concerning health care provider and health care facility whistleblower protections.

Summary

  • Expands the definition of "whistleblower" to include a health care provider or member of a medical care staff at a health care facility.
  • Provides a civil remedy to nonemployee whistleblowers who have been subject to retaliatory action.
  • Establishes standards for the sanction process against medical staff.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 5998), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
  1. IntroducedJan 8, 2018
  2. Out of committeeJan 24, 2018
  3. Passed SenateFeb 7, 2018
  4. Passed Housestopped here
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Karen Keiser (D-33)
Introduced
January 8, 2018 in the Senate
Last action
March 8, 2018
Companion bill
HB 2258
Versions
SB 5998, SSB 5998

AN ACT Relating to health care provider and health care facility whistleblower protections;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Karen Keiser (D-33)

10 co-sponsors (7 Democrats, 3 Republicans)

Senator R-18Senator D-36Joe Fain R-47Annette Cleveland D-49Marko Liias D-21Kevin Van De Wege D-24Steve Conway D-29Maralyn Chase D-32Rebecca Saldaña D-37Curtis King R-14

Votes

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 7, 2018
Version voted on: SSB 5998
48 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat26000
Republican22001
How each member voted

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading. (SSB 5998)
  2. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (SSB 5998)
  3. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (SSB 5998)
  4. JUDI - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (SSB 5998)
  5. First reading, referred to Judiciary (Not Officially read and referred until adoption of Introduction report). (SSB 5998)
  6. Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1. (SSB 5998)
  7. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (SSB 5998)
  8. 1st substitute bill substituted. (SSB 5998)
  9. 1st substitute bill substituted.
  10. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (SSB 5998)
  11. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
  12. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (SSB 5998)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
  14. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5998)
  15. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  16. First reading, referred to Health & Long Term Care.
  17. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5998 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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