This bill introduces a new chapter to Title 5 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) that addresses the admissibility of evidence regarding medical expenses in civil actions against local governments for personal injuries. Specifically, it stipulates that in such cases, evidence of the amount billed for medical, hospital, or similar expenses cannot be used to establish the plaintiff's damages. Instead, only the amount actually paid for these expenses can be presented as evidence to determine damages.

The bill defines "local government" to include cities, towns, counties, special districts, municipal corporations, and quasi-municipal corporations, with "special district" encompassing various local units authorized to perform specific functions, such as water-sewer districts and school districts. This legislative change aims to clarify the standards for evidence in personal injury cases involving local governments, potentially impacting how damages are calculated and awarded in these legal proceedings.