Preventive services bill
HB 2242 / SB 5967 preserves several provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that are already part of Washington state law, including access to preventive services.
The bill amends our preventive services coverage law to refer to the state Department of Health’s (DOH) recommendations for immunizations, rather than those from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The bill also sets the preventive services coverage standards to recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Health Services Task Force (USPHSTF) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as of June 30, 2025. Our office has the authority to issue rules that would add new preventive services that would take effect after June 30, 2025.
Governor Ferguson signed ESHB 2242 into law on March 9, 2026, and it took effect immediately. We will release updated information on preventive services by Jan. 1, 2027.
Strengthening consumer protection by increasing insurer accountability for violations of the insurance code
This bill would give our office the authority to order restitution, including interest, for consumers harmed by an insurance company’s violation of Washington state insurance laws.
HB 1199 / SB 5331 would also give our office the authority to assess fines against insurers for each violation of state insurance laws, aligning the fine schedule for insurers with that of other regulated entities.
SB 5331 passed the Senate 30-19, but did not receive a hearing in the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee.
Protecting consumers by prohibiting post-loss assignment of benefits in insurance claims
Post-loss assignment of benefits (AOB) is an agreement that allows a third party, like a contractor, to stand in for the policyholder and receive insurance payments directly from the insurance company.
HB 2399 / SB 6178 would prohibit post-loss AOBs, which are presented as a convenience for policyholders, but the practice has been abused in other states after natural disasters. Once a consumer signs this agreement, they lose control over their insurance benefits, which leads to inflated claims, unnecessary litigation, and higher premiums.
SB 6178 unanimously passed out of the Senate but did not advance out of the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee.
Protecting consumers by modernizing Washington’s insurance fraud laws
HB 2394 / SB 6031 would define insurance fraud as its own crime in state law. The definition includes billing an insurance company or consumer for services not provided, impersonating others in insurance-related claims or transactions, and stealing insurance premium payments or premium financing loans.
It expands “victims of insurance fraud” to include insurance consumers and insurance beneficiaries, eligible for criminal restitution. It would authorize our criminal investigators to investigate other crimes that impact the insurance industry, or insurance consumers or beneficiaries.
SB 6031 unanimously passed out of the Senate but did not advance out of the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee.
Concerning wildfire risk models and score disclosure
Insurers are increasingly using wildfire risk scores to evaluate a property’s exposure and determine eligibility, pricing, and renewals.
SB 5928 / HB 2277 would require insurers to disclose wildfire risk scores when used, explain the factors behind the score, and provide plain-language steps that consumers can take to improve their score. If the consumer has done mitigation work since the last evaluation, or there are demonstrable inaccuracies with the current evaluation, they can appeal.
SB 5928 passed the Senate 48-1, but did not advance out of the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee.
Reducing nonrenewal and cancellations of insurance policies due to wildfire risk
Wildfire losses are increasing across Washington. Many homeowners, particularly in high-risk areas, face insurance nonrenewals or difficulty securing property insurance due to wildfire exposure. The proposed Strengthen Washington Homes Program, HB 2407 / SB 6079, creates a voluntary grant program to help retrofit existing homes using the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Wildfire Prepared Home standards.
SB 6079 passed the Senate 37-11, but did not advance out of the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee.
2026 Supplemental Operating Budget
The Legislature allocated funding in the 2026 Supplemental Operating Budget for some new one-time and ongoing agency expenses while shifting funding for others.
Digital forensic analytic software
Funding to purchase digital forensic analytic software for the Criminal Investigation Unit and one Forensic Examiner to support this technology.
Medicare Open Enrollment support
Ongoing funding for administrative and regulatory support for Medicare Open Enrollment, including 12 full-time employees.
Ruckelshaus situational assessment
One-time funding for our office to enter a contract with the William D. Ruckelshaus Center to design, convene, and facilitate a collaborative forum on contracting practices between health carriers and health care providers and facilities for fully insured health plans.
Insurance and credit study
One-time funding for staff and actuarial costs to conduct a study of insurers' use of credit history and other credit-based factors that may have disparate impacts on Washington residents and alternatives to their use. The due date for this study was amended from the original November 1, 2026, deadline listed in the 25-27 Operating Budget to June 1, 2027.
Learn more about how our state budget works.
Follow our rulemaking activity
We manage an ongoing public rulemaking development process to write regulations that provide guidance for consumers, insurers, carriers, producers, and other regulated entities.