H-2981.1
HOUSE BILL 2560
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Representatives Hill, Macri, Ormsby, Parshley, Gregerson, Davis, Obras, Stonier, Reed, Goodman, Thomas, Fosse, and Duerr
Read first time 01/19/26. Referred to Committee on Health Care & Wellness.
AN ACT Relating to facilities licensed to provide pediatric transitional care services; amending RCW 71.12.455 , 71.12.680 , 71.12.684 , and 71.12.686 ; adding a new section to chapter 71.24 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that thousands of infants are born in Washington state each year exposed to harmful substances including, but not limited to: Opiates and synthetic opioids such as heroin; methadone and fentanyl; methamphetamines; tobacco; marijuana; alcohol; morphine; buprenorphine; codeine; cocaine; and other substances. Prenatal substance exposure frequently results in infants suffering from neonatal abstinence syndrome and its accompanying withdrawal symptoms after birth. Consequently, the legislature finds that substance-exposed infants have unique medical and nonmedical needs and benefit from specialized health care that addresses, not only their unique withdrawal symptoms, but their bonding and attachment needs.
(2) The legislature further finds that the pilot project which provides medical and nonmedical, nonpharmacologic care and wraparound support to infants and their families in a nurturing environment, demonstrated that its nonhospital treatment model promotes bonding and attachment between substance-exposed infants and their parents and caregivers. Of the 49 parents who have resided full time with their infants in the study of the pilot project, 88 percent are in recovery, in custody of their infant, and housed.