Updated May 4, 2021
Updates from the 2021 Legislative Committee
The 2021 legislative session started on January 11 and completed on April 25.
AAPPN Legislative Priorities
Passed
SSB 5068 Improving maternal health outcomes by extending coverage during the postpartum period. Signed into law by Governor Inslee on April 16, 2021.
ESHB 1196 Concerning audio-only telemedicine. This bill requires health plans to reimburse a provider for a health care service provided to a covered through audio-only telemedicine under certain circumstances. Signed into law by Governor Inslee on May 3, 2021.
2SHB 1325 – Implementing policies related to children and youth behavioral health. This bill implements partnership access lines, including PAL for Moms. Read Legislative Committee Member Leslie Hite’s written testimony. Signed into law by Governor Inslee on April 26, 2021.
SSB 5169 Concerning provider reimbursement for personal protective equipment during the state of emergency related to COVID-19. Read the letter of support signed by AAPPN, the Washington State Medical Association, ARNPs United, and other provider organizations. Signed into law by Governor Inslee on April 16, 2021.
E2SHB 1086 Creating the state office of behavioral health consumer advocacy. Signed into law by Governor Inslee on May 10, 2021.
Did Not Pass
Bills that did not pass in 2021 will be automatically reintroduced in 2022.
SB 5222 Requiring health carriers to reimburse advanced registered nurse practitioners at the same rate as physicians for the same services. AAPPN and ARNPs United continue to work together to advocate for ARNPs on this important issue.
- Prior to the start of the 2021 session, members of AAPPN’s Legislative Committee met with key legislators.
- On February 1, 2021. Dana Dean Doering, former AAPPN president, joined a panel of ARNPs and other stakeholders to provide testimony at the public hearing. Watch the TVW.org recording of the hearing.
- While SB 5222 did not pass out of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee on February 15, AAPPN will use the momentum and exposure from the February 1st hearing to strengthen agency relationships and to broaden our stakeholder base throughout the rest of this legislative session and the interim.
ESHB 1141 Increasing access to the death with dignity act. The bill expands the definition of ‘attending’ to include other qualified medical providers, including ARNPs, to make the decision to give a terminal patient access to the Death with Dignity Act. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners are added to the list of qualified medical providers who can provide consultation to a referring provider as to the patient’s competence to make such a decision.
- The bill was passed by the House, but did not pass the Senate.
- AAPPN will continue to advocate for this bill during the 2022 legislative session. Read AAPPN’s letter of support.
HB 1182 Enhancing and expanding behavioral health and suicide prevention crisis response services. This bill includes new sections related to the statewide behavioral health and suicide prevention crisis response services.
- The bill did not make it out of committee by the February 15 deadline.
HB 1444 Providing trauma-informed counseling and supports to students who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This bill expands access to care.
- The bill did not make it out of committee by the February 15 deadline.
HB 1468 Increasing student access to mental health counseling and services at community and technical colleges. This bill expands access to care.
- The bill did not make it out of the House by the February 22 deadline.
E2SHB 1477 Implementing the national 988 system to enhance and expand behavioral health crisis response and suicide prevention services. This bill expands access to care.
- The bill was passed by the House, but was not passed by the Senate.
ESSB 5074 Establishing safe station pilot programs.
- The bill was passed by the Senate, but was not passed by the House.