Nursing assistants/SUD prg.

AN ACT Relating to the application of substance use disorder 1
monitoring program provisions to nursing assistants; amending RCW 2
18.79.440; and providing an effective date. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:4
Sec. 1. RCW 18.79.440 and 2025 c 58 s 5028 are each amended to 5
read as follows: 6
(1) The department or board may not post information regarding an 7
enforcement action taken by the board against a person ((licensed)) 8
credentialed under this chapter or chapter 18.88A RCW, including any 9
supporting documents or indication that the enforcement action was 10
taken, on any public website when the following conditions are met:11
(a) In connection with the enforcement action, the person has 12
been required by an order or agreement with the board to contact a 13
board-approved substance use disorder monitoring program authorized 14
by RCW 18.130.175, and if recommended by the program, to contract 15
with and participate in the program; 16
(b) The board has found that the person has substantially 17
complied with the terms of the order or agreement; and18
(c) If the website is a third-party website, the department or 19
board has the ability to prevent information regarding the 20
enforcement action from being posted on the public website.21
H-2406.1
HOUSE BILL 2340
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2026 Regular Session
By Representative Simmons
Prefiled 01/08/26. Read first time 01/12/26. Referred to Committee
on Health Care & Wellness.
p. 1 HB 2340
(2) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this 1
specific purpose, the board shall establish a stipend program to 2
defray the out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with 3
participation in the board's approved substance use disorder 4
monitoring program authorized by RCW 18.130.175. 5
(3) To be eligible for the stipend program, a person must:6
(a) Hold an active, inactive, or suspended ((license)) credential 7
issued pursuant to this chapter or chapter 18.88A RCW;8
(b) Submit an application on forms provided by the board;9
(c) Be actively participating in the board's approved substance 10
use disorder monitoring program or have completed the board's 11
approved substance use disorder monitoring program within six months 12
of submission of an application for the stipend program; and13
(d) Have a demonstrated need for financial assistance with the 14
expenses incurred in connection with participation in the board's 15
approved substance use disorder monitoring program.16
(4) A person is not eligible for the stipend program if they have 17
previously applied for and participated in the stipend program.18
(5) The board may defray up to 80 percent of each out-of-pocket 19
expense deemed eligible for defrayment under this section.20
(6) Out-of-pocket expenses eligible for defrayment under this 21
section include the costs of substance use evaluation, treatment, and 22
other ancillary services, including drug testing, participation in 23
professional peer support groups, and any other expenses deemed 24
appropriate by the board. 25
(7) A person participating in the stipend program established in 26
this section shall document their out-of-pocket expenses in a manner 27
specified by the board. 28
(8) The board must provide updated information on its website 29
regarding the total number of individuals that have participated in 30
the stipend program, the average total amount of eligible expenses 31
defrayed for each participant, the aggregated total amount of 32
expenses that have been defrayed for all individuals that have 33
participated in the stipend program, and the amount of funds 34
available for the stipend program. 35
(9) ((The board shall establish the stipend program no later than 36
July 1, 2024.37
(10))) The board may adopt rules necessary to implement this 38
section. 39
p. 2 HB 2340
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2026.1
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p. 3 HB 2340