State Health AI Law Tracker/Washington
Washington SB 5395 · Payer AI / prior auth · Effective
Prior authorization transparency and AI limits
Effective June 11, 2026
What the law does
Washington Chapter 157, Laws of 2026 (E2SSB 5395) tightens prior-authorization transparency. Artificial intelligence may not be the sole means used to deny, delay, or modify health care services. Carriers that use AI in utilization review must base determinations on the enrollee's clinical record, avoid group-dataset-only decisions, keep written policies, and periodically review performance. Most of the chapter took effect June 11, 2026. Sections 3 and 7 take effect January 1, 2027.
- State
- Washington
- Bill number
- SB 5395
- Topic
- Payer AI / prior auth
- Status
- Effective
- Date enacted
- March 23, 2026
- Date effective
- June 11, 2026
- Applies to
- Payers, Vendors
Related companies
More Payer AI / prior auth laws
Alabama · SB 63
AI in health benefit plan coverage determinations
Arizona · HB 2175
Prior authorization and claim denials
California · SB 1120
Physicians Make Decisions Act
Indiana · HB 1271
AI in claims downcoding and prior authorization
Maryland · HB 820
Health insurance AI and utilization review
Nebraska · LB 77
Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act