Senior independent housing

AN ACT Relating to senior independent housing; and adding a new 1
chapter to Title 70 RCW. 2
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:3
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The definitions in this section apply 4
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires 5
otherwise.6
(1) "Department" means the department of commerce.7
(2) "Resident" means any person who resides in senior independent 8
housing. 9
(3) "Senior independent housing" means any residential housing 10
that is advertised, maintained, designed, or constructed for the 11
express or implied purpose of providing housing for persons 55 years 12
of age or older who are independent and do not require assistance 13
with activities of daily living. Senior independent housing is 14
typically designed to enable seniors to live on their own, but with 15
the security and convenience of community living, including 16
recreational, educational, and social activities. "Senior independent 17
housing" does not include facilities that provide medical care or 18
assistance with activities of daily living, such as assisted living 19
facilities, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or other 20
similar living arrangements. 21
H-0730.1
HOUSE BILL 1542
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Reeves and Peterson
Read first time 01/23/25. Referred to Committee on Housing.
p. 1 HB 1542
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) In addition to any other rights 1
provided by law, senior independent housing residents have the rights 2
provided in this section. The rights provided in this section are 3
minimum rights guaranteed to all residents and are not intended to 4
diminish any other rights provided in local, state, or federal laws.5
(2) A senior independent housing resident has the right to:6
(a) Be free of interference, coercion, discrimination, and 7
reprisal from the senior independent housing provider in exercising 8
the resident's rights; 9
(b) Be treated respectfully by management, employees, and staff 10
of the senior independent housing provider; 11
(c) Install safety and security devices, including cameras, at 12
the entrance to the resident's individual living unit or within the 13
unit; 14
(d) Organize, attend, and hold meetings open to any and all 15
residents at reasonable hours and times; 16
(e) Communicate with and receive a timely response from the 17
manager of the senior independent housing provider or the manager's 18
designee at any time of day, including after hours and on weekends, 19
in case of emergencies; and 20
(f) Provide anonymous suggestions and feedback to the management, 21
employees, and staff of the senior independent housing provider 22
through methods such as suggestion boxes in common areas.23
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The legislature finds that the practices 24
covered by section 2 of this act are matters vitally affecting the 25
public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection 26
act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of section 2 of this act by a 27
senior independent housing provider is not reasonable in relation to 28
the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or 29
deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of 30
competition for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, 31
chapter 19.86 RCW.32
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. By July 1, 2026, and in compliance with 33
RCW 43.01.036, the department shall submit a report on senior 34
independent housing to the appropriate committees of the legislature. 35
The report must include:36
(1) Data on the number of senior independent housing providers, 37
properties, and dwelling units located in the state; and38
p. 2 HB 1542
(2) Recommendations to the legislature regarding policy changes 1
that could be adopted to: 2
(a) Ensure quality of life for residents; 3
(b) Provide statewide oversight of senior independent housing; 4
and 5
(c) Ensure that senior independent housing providers comply with 6
laws and regulations related to building accessibility and safety, 7
reasonable accommodations, landlord-tenant duties, and resident 8
rights, such as: 9
(i) The residential landlord-tenant act in chapter 59.18 RCW;10
(ii) The laws against discrimination in chapter 49.60 RCW;11
(iii) The state building code in chapter 19.27 RCW;12
(iv) The senior independent housing resident rights provided in 13
section 2 of this act; 14
(v) The federal fair housing act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.);15
(vi) The federal Americans with disabilities act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 16
12101 et seq.); and 17
(vii) Any other relevant laws and regulations.18
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act 19
constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.20
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p. 3 HB 1542