The bill amends RCW 43.20B.030 to address the issue of unintentional overpayments affecting older adults and adults with disabilities who are served by the Department of Social and Health Services. Key changes include the adjustment of the timeframes for the collection of overpayments, specifically changing the expiration period for the collection of debts from ten years to 10 years and from twenty years to 20 years for debts related to recorded liens. Additionally, the bill allows the department to waive collection efforts for unintentional overpayments for clients in specific assistance programs starting July 1, 2025, and mandates the establishment of rules to determine the circumstances under which these waivers will be applied. Furthermore, the bill provides the department with the authority to accept offers of compromise for disputed claims and to grant partial or total write-offs of debts when pursuing collection is no longer cost-effective. It also allows for the waiver of collection efforts if the elements of equitable estoppel are met, as defined in existing regulations. The act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety, and is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.20B.030
Bill as Passed Legislature: 43.20B.030
Session Law: 43.20B.030