WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5823

SB 5823: Patient advocates

Concerning patient advocates.

Summary

  • Requires that licensed hospitals, on or before January 1, 2027, must have at least one person physically present every day in the acute care setting to assist patients navigating the health care system on the patient's behalf or provide patients with access to a patient advocate through a patient advocacy service.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5823), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeestopped here
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. Governor
  6. Law
Prime sponsor
Adrian Cortes (D-18)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the Senate
Last action
February 4, 2026
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
SB 5823, SSB 5823

AN ACT Relating to patient advocates;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Adrian Cortes (D-18)

2 co-sponsors (2 Democrats, 0 Republicans)

Bob Hasegawa D-11Javier Valdez D-46

Votes

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

History

  1. Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5823)
  2. Referred to Ways & Means.
  3. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5823)
  4. And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5823)
  5. Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5823)
  6. Minority; without recommendation. (SSB 5823)
  7. Minority; without recommendation.
  8. Minority; do not pass.
  9. And refer to Ways & Means.
  10. HLTC - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
  11. First reading, referred to Health & Long-Term Care.
  12. Prefiled for introduction.

SB 5823 in other sessions

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

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