Protecting the clinical autonomy of audiologists.

 S-4630.1

SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6226

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2026 Regular Session

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

READ FIRST TIME 02/04/26.

AN ACT Relating to protecting the clinical autonomy of audiologists; amending RCW 18.35.161 ; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) Telehealth, including teleaudiology, is an increasingly vital modality for delivering cost-effective, patient-centered health care services that increase quality and expand access to care, as recognized by industry leaders such as the United States department of health and human services, the veterans administration, the American academy of audiology, the American speech-language-hearing association, and the Washington state department of health.

(2) As a growing number of Washingtonians come to rely upon telehealth to access essential health care services, regulatory frameworks should support the clinical judgment and autonomy of licensed professionals to determine whether telehealth or in-person treatment is the best solution for a specific patient.