Bill > HB2261

This bill aims to increase transparency in healthcare by requiring licensed health care professionals to clearly display their credentials on identification badges during patient encounters, and to include their credentials in any advertisements for their services. This means that when a patient interacts with a healthcare provider, they will be able to see the provider's name and their specific health care credential, including the initials and title of any relevant degrees. The bill also clarifies that only individuals who have completed specific surgical training and are certified by recognized boards can use the titles "osteopathic physician and surgeon" or "physician surgeon." Furthermore, various healthcare facilities, including hospitals, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, adult family homes, and ambulatory surgical facilities, will be responsible for ensuring their employees' identification badges meet these new transparency requirements by certain deadlines or when specific events occur, such as hiring a new employee or an employee obtaining a new credential. The bill also amends existing laws to include violations of these new transparency requirements as unprofessional conduct for healthcare professionals.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2261&Year=2025&Initiative=false