Washington First State to Pass a Version of Uniform Law Commission’s Telehealth Model Act

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed into law Senate Bill 5481, Washington’s modified version of the Uniform Telehealth Act (UTA). While the new law has widespread support in the telehealth community, it was amended to exclude the model act’s telehealth registration section, which would have allowed a provider licensed in another state, and in good standing, to register to practice telehealth in the state without going through a full licensure process.

Instead, the law directs the Washington Collaborative to explore the UTA’s proposal for registration as an additional authorized pathway for out-of-state providers to deliver care to Washington patients. Washington is the first state to adopt a version of the UTA. Also signed into law is Senate Bill 5821, which eliminates the sunset date on both public and commercial insurance coverage for audio-only telemedicine services.