The bill amends Washington state law regarding nursing delegation, specifically RCW 18.79.260 and related statutes, to enhance the delegation of nursing tasks by registered nurses. It allows nurses to delegate tasks in any setting where they believe it is in the patient's best interest, provided they assess the competency of the individual receiving the delegation and supervise the tasks performed. The bill emphasizes that nurses cannot be coerced into compromising patient safety and protects them from employer retaliation for refusing to delegate when it may endanger patient safety. Additionally, it clarifies the types of tasks that can be delegated, prohibiting the delegation of medication administration and tasks requiring substantial skill, except under specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions that require the board to adopt rules by July 1, 2028, to establish delegation parameters and holds nursing assistants accountable for their actions during the delegation process while providing them immunity from liability when following a nurse's instructions. It also ensures that nursing assistants and home care aides cannot face employer reprisal for declining delegation based on safety concerns. The bill modifies definitions and requirements for home care agencies, ensuring that delegated tasks do not classify these agencies as home health agencies for licensing purposes. It includes expiration dates for certain provisions, with some set to expire on June 30, 2027, and July 1, 2026, while others will take effect on July 1, 2028, ultimately aiming to improve care quality in community-based settings while ensuring safety and accountability.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 18.79.260, 18.88A.210, 18.88A.230, 18.88B.070, 70.127.010