ESSB 5291 — Implementing the recommendations of the long-term services and supports trust commission.

What this bill does

Prohibits persons who have left Washington and elect to continue participation in the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Program (Trust Program) from withdrawing from the program. Allows an employee who received an exemption from the Trust Program to rescind that exemption prior to July 1, 2028, and begin participating in the Trust Program. Provides a voluntary exemption from the Trust Program for active duty service members concurrently engaged in off-duty civilian employment, and automatically exempts employees holding a nonimmigrant visa for temporary work. Establishes an enforcement structure for the Employment Security Department to collect Trust Program premiums. Eliminates the Long-Term Services and Supports Council, including its duties related to the annual adjustment amount of the Trust Program benefit unit, and requires the benefit unit to be adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. Removes the condition that there must have been no interruption in service of five or more consecutive years in order to become a qualified individual under the Trust Program by paying the premium for a total of 10 years. Authorizes a pilot project to assess the Trust Program's capabilities for managing eligibility determinations and distributing payments to long-term services and supports providers. Establishes a private market supplemental long-term care insurance option that is designed to provide coverage for persons once their Trust Program benefits are exhausted.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — Final Passage as Amended by the House · April 11, 2025
  78 yea · 16 nay · 4 not voting
• Senate — Final Passage as Amended by the House · April 22, 2025
  35 yea · 13 nay
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · March 11, 2025
  38 yea · 11 nay

Track ESSB 5291 on OlympiaTrack

A free account adds a plain-English AI summary, the full hearing and amendment record, who testified, and roll calls by member. Plus email alerts when this bill moves.

Other bills sponsored by Conway

• E2SSB 5061 — Requiring certain wages in public works contracts to be at least the prevailing wage in effect when the work is performed.
• SSB 5191 — Concerning paid family and medical leave premium collection for dockworkers.
• 2SSB 5292 — Concerning paid family and medical leave rates.
• ESSB 5357 — Concerning actuarial funding of pension systems.
• SB 5381 — Establishing department authority to ensure payment is received from the self-insured employer after a self-insured group or municipal employer has their self-insurer certification withdrawn.