WA HB1507

Nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions in agreements between health care providers and patients are void and unenforceable when they prohibit discussing acts, errors, or omissions the patient reasonably believes constitute medical malpractice, torts, or crimes

Settlement amounts may still be kept confidential, but the existence of settlements and underlying conduct cannot be silenced

Health care providers who violate the law face civil liability of actual damages or $10,000 statutory damages (whichever is greater), plus attorneys' fees and costs

Within one year of the effective date, providers must notify patients, their legal counsel, and other bound parties in writing about any existing agreements containing now-unenforceable provisions

The law applies retroactively to invalidate prohibited provisions in existing agreements, though damages are only available for enforcement attempts, not for the mere existence of such provisions