WA HB1724

Department of Health must establish a statewide registry for portable orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST) forms, with the registry designed to allow future expansion for advance directives, durable powers of attorney, and mental health advance directives

Health care providers who sign POLST forms must submit them to the registry on the individual's behalf, unless the individual opts out; individuals may also submit forms directly in digital format

Verbal confirmation of a POLST form satisfies signature requirements when in-person or electronic signing would cause significant difficulty or expense, provided a separate licensed health care provider witnesses and attests to the confirmation

Providers acting in good faith according to POLST forms are immune from civil, criminal, and professional conduct liability; the registry does not create new obligations for providers to check whether patients have forms on file

Department of Health must report to the legislature by June 30, 2026, with recommendations on alternative evidence options (medical jewelry, physical cards, electronic apps) to indicate POLST completion