The bill establishes a regulatory framework for licensed acute care hospitals in Washington to offer "hospital at-home" services, enabling patients to receive acute care in their homes. It acknowledges the advantages of this service, particularly in light of its successful implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and mandates that hospitals with an active federal program waiver notify the state department within 30 days of receiving the waiver. The legislation requires the department to adopt rules by December 31, 2025, to regulate these services, clarifying that hospital at-home services will not count as an increase in the hospital's licensed beds and are exempt from certain existing regulations. Notably, the bill amends RCW 70.127.040 to specify that hospital at-home services provided by licensed hospitals are not subject to regulation under that chapter.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws related to hospital licensing and certificate of need requirements, particularly benefiting rural hospitals and nursing homes. It allows rural hospitals to renew their licenses without certain requirements if there is no increase in bed numbers and permits nursing homes that reduce their licensed beds to revert to their original capacity without needing a certificate of need under specific conditions. The bill also exempts certain hospice agencies and ambulatory surgical facilities from certificate of need requirements in defined circumstances. A key provision is that hospital at-home services are not subject to certificate of need review; however, the emergency clause for immediate implementation was vetoed by the Governor, who indicated there was no urgent need for it. The bill has been passed by both the House and Senate and approved by the Governor, excluding the vetoed section.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.127.040, 70.38.111
Substitute Bill: 70.127.040, 70.38.111
Bill as Passed Legislature: 70.127.040, 70.38.111
Session Law: 70.127.040, 70.38.111