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Bill > HB1507


WA HB1507

WA HB1507
Limiting health care nondisclosure agreements.


summary

Introduced
01/22/2025
In Committee
01/22/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT Relating to prohibiting certain nondisclosure and 2 nondisparagement provisions in agreements between health care 3 providers and patients related to medical malpractice, or any tort or 4 crime; adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW; and prescribing 5 penalties. 6

AI Summary

This bill seeks to prohibit health care providers from using nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements that prevent patients from discussing potential medical malpractice, torts, or crimes. Under the proposed law, any provisions in agreements between health care providers and patients that restrict disclosure of acts, errors, or omissions in healthcare would be considered void and unenforceable. The bill applies broadly to all types of healthcare agreements, including settlement agreements, and covers any healthcare services whether provided on or off a provider's premises. Healthcare providers cannot request patients to sign such restrictive provisions, and they are prohibited from attempting to enforce existing agreements with such clauses. If a health care provider violates these provisions, they can be held liable in a civil action for $10,000 in damages or actual damages, whichever is higher, plus attorneys' fees and costs. The law would require providers with existing agreements containing prohibited provisions to notify patients within one year of the law's effective date. Importantly, the bill defines key terms like "health care," "health care provider," and "medical malpractice" to ensure clarity. The legislation is intended to be retroactive and liberally construed to protect patients' rights to discuss potential medical misconduct, while still allowing confidentiality of settlement amounts and truly confidential medical information unrelated to potential malpractice.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (13)

Last Action

House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary Executive Session (10:30:00 2/14/2025 House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary) (on 02/14/2025)

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