WA SB5291

Removes the 10-year contribution requirement's prohibition on 5+ consecutive year interruptions for WACares program qualification, allowing workers to qualify with either 10 total years or 3 years within the last 6 years of premium payments

Eliminates the separate Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Council, consolidating its functions into the existing Commission, and establishes automatic annual benefit unit adjustments tied to Seattle-area CPI-W inflation index

Creates new "supplemental long-term care insurance" regulatory framework (effective May 1, 2026) for private insurance policies designed to supplement WACares benefits, with consumer protections including deductible caps, elimination period limits of 12 months, and required nonforfeiture options

Allows employees with nonimmigrant temporary worker visas to opt into the program rather than being automatically exempt, and adds active duty service members engaged in off-duty civilian employment as a new exemption category

Permits employees who previously received exemptions based on having long-term care insurance before November 2021 to rescind their exemption and participate in the program prior to July 1, 2028