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WA SB5335
Bill
Status
Introduced
1/17/2025
Primary Sponsor
Vandana Slatter
Click for details
AI Summary
- Establishes the rural nursing education program within the Department of Health to provide distance nursing education and training for students intending to work as registered nurses in rural communities
- Requires the department to collaborate with rural hospitals, academic institutions, workforce development councils, and nursing representatives to develop participant selection criteria and address barriers such as child care, transportation, and internet access
- Mandates participating rural hospitals identify and recruit employees as potential participants, while participating colleges must establish dedicated program cohorts and implement innovative clinical education models including remote simulation
- Requires preliminary report to legislature by November 1, 2026, with biennial outcome reports beginning November 1, 2028, tracking participant demographics, program completion rates, and rural employment outcomes
- Takes effect July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency measure to address nursing shortages affecting Washington's 39 critical access hospitals and other rural health facilities
Legislative Description
Establishing the rural nursing education program.
Last Action
By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
1/12/2026
Committee Referrals
Ways & Means2/5/2025
Health & Long-term Care1/17/2025
Full Bill Text
No bill text available