Creating a certification for memory care services.

 S-1397.3

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5337

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Senate Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Orwall, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovick, and Nobles)

READ FIRST TIME 02/14/25.

AN ACT Relating to improving dementia care in Washington by creating a certification for memory care services; amending RCW 18.20.020 , 18.20.190 , 18.20.300 , 18.20.320 , and 18.20.525 ; adding new sections to chapter 18.20 RCW; creating a new section; 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:

(a) "Memory care" is not well-defined and has no standard definition in Washington. Memory care, however, is commonly understood to be a form of specialized care for people living with progressive memory loss or dementia. The term is most often applied to assisted living communities or other residential settings that offer specialized services and a specially designed environment that accommodates the needs of this population;