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bills
All immigration bills
HB 1845 updates Washington State's payment standards for cash assistance programs, directly affecting recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), refugee assistance, and benefits under RCW 74.62.030. The bill requires the Department of Social and Health Services to base payment levels on actual living costs and national inflation indices, using an existing national standard as a baseline starting July 2022. It sets a minimum payment level of 16% of the need standard (or the previous year’s amount, whichever is higher) and limits annual increases to 3% for these programs. The bill also ensures Supplemental Security Income (SSI) state supplements meet federal minimum requirements.
SB 5185 proposes a new pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs) to obtain full medical licensure in Washington without completing standard U.S. postgraduate training. It establishes a "preceptorship pathway" requiring 48 months of supervised clinical practice under a licensed physician, followed by evaluations and board certification (ABMS or AAGP), to qualify for unrestricted licensure. The bill also creates hardship waivers for IMGs facing refugee status, persecution, or other documented barriers preventing standard documentation, excluding inability to pass ECFMG exams. This directly affects IMGs seeking to practice in Washington and the Washington Medical Commission, which would implement the new rules. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
HB 1306 creates two pathways for international medical graduates (IMGs) to obtain full medical licenses in Washington without completing standard U.S. postgraduate training. The primary pathway requires 48 months of supervised clinical practice under a licensed physician, followed by assessments and documentation to demonstrate competence. A hardship pathway also allows waivers for specific situations like refugee status or persecution, though it excludes failures in standard exams. The bill directly affects IMGs seeking to practice in Washington, modifying existing licensing rules to accommodate their credentials. It does not change requirements for U.S.-trained physicians but provides alternative routes for qualified IMGs.
