WA SB5200

Veterans' medical foster homes as defined in 38 C.F.R. 17.73 are exempted from state adult family home licensing requirements under chapter 70.128 RCW when they serve three or fewer veterans exclusively and are under U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs oversight with annual reviews.

Caregivers in these VA-supervised medical foster homes must still comply with applicable state laws including required training, certification, and background checks.

Medical foster home caregivers are added to the definition of "long-term care workers" and must undergo state and federal background screening, including FBI fingerprint checks.

The definition of "facility" under the vulnerable adults protection statute (RCW 74.34.020) is expanded to include VA medical foster homes, subjecting them to abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting requirements.

Effective date: July 27, 2025; passed unanimously in both chambers (Senate 49-0, House 96-0) and signed by Governor Ferguson on April 22, 2025.