AARP Washington Advocacy Hub

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. We advocate for what is important to our members and give them a voice at the state and federal levels.

GET INVOLVED

CONSUMER RIGHTS AND PROTECTION

State and local governments play an active role in protecting consumers. State laws prohibiting unfair and deceptive acts and practices are among the most effective tools in fighting consumer fraud and abuse. These policies and statutes provide remedies for consumers, encourage merchants to resolve disputes fairly, and deter misconduct.

• SUPPORT (SB 5331): Strengthen consumer protection through increased insurer accountability for insurance code violations. The bill empowers the insurance commissioner to enforce orders, issue cease and desist orders, and prosecute violations. It also allows the commissioner to order restitution with interest to be paid to the insured and levy fines ranging from $250 to $10,000 per violation. The bill emphasizes the importance of holding insurers accountable to ensure they adhere to legal standards and protect consumer rights. Passed the Senate. Referred to House Consumer Protection & Business Committee

• Crypto ATM - To crack down on crypto ATM scams, AARP will work with Washington's Department of Financial Institutions to pass legislation that would put some guardrails around using crypto ATMs. Crypto ATMs look and operate like bank ATMs and are found in grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other spots across the state. Criminals use these kiosks to target victims who may be unfamiliar with how they work. We will work to implement consumer protection policies, such as requiring ATM operators to post warnings about potential fraud, limiting daily transaction amounts for new customers, and establishing a regulating agency within Washington state.
  
  • SUPPORT (SB 5280): AARP, the Washington Department of Financial Institutions, and state law enforcement support this bill. Its primary focus is consumer protection measures that would establish daily transaction limits, cap transaction fees, require prominent fraud warning messages around and on the kiosk, and mandate a hard copy receipt of the transaction to provide law enforcement with a paper trail. Passed the Senate. Referred to House Consumer Protection & Business Committee

 

HOUSING

Housing is central to community and individual well-being. People of all ages and ability levels need safe, decent, and affordable housing that will enable them to continue living safely in their homes and communities as they get older, regardless of the size of their community. Many older adults want to stay in their homes and communities as they age, but some are concerned that they will not be able to do so. Having a variety of housing options provides more choices in neighborhoods. Residents have a better chance of finding affordable housing in a location that meets their needs.

• SUPPORT (SB 5691): Continuing care retirement communities, also known as CCRCs or life plan communities, are a long-term care option for older people who want to stay in the same place through different phases of the aging process. While communities like this offer many benefits to residents, there is a lack of regulatory oversight. Senate Bill 5691 would enhance the oversight and regulation of these communities, ensuring that residents receive the protection and advocacy they deserve by doing the following. Passed the Senate. Referred to House Health Care & Wellness Committee.
  
  
  • Enhanced Oversight: Require CCRCs to register with the Department of Social and Health Services.
  • Financial Security: Help ensure that CCRCs can fulfill their long-term contractual obligations, providing consumers with greater financial security.
  • Consumer Protection: Give the Attorney General the authority to take action against non-compliant CCRCs, thereby protecting consumers’ rights.
  • Resident Advocacy: Create of the Senior Independent Living Ombuds office will provide residents with an advocate to address their concerns and protect their interests.
  • Transparency: CCRCs must provide disclosure and audited financial statements, allowing consumers to make more informed decisions.
• SUPPORT (HB 1096): Increasing housing options through lot splitting. This bill makes it easier to split residential lots into two, creating more affordable housing options. It simplifies the process, ensures compliance with building standards, and includes measures to prevent displacement and ensure utility availability. Some nonresidential zones and unbuildable lots are exempt from this bill. Passed the House.
  
• SUPPORT (HB 1491): Promoting transit-oriented housing development. This legislation supports building more housing near transit stations to make communities more walkable and affordable. It encourages diverse housing options, like apartments and mixed-use buildings, and provides flexibility for local planning. The bill also offers help to cities for effective implementation. Passed the House. Referred to Senate Housing Committee.
  
• SUPPORT (SB 5156): Concerning elevator standards in smaller apartment buildings. This bill would require the Department of Labor and Industries to adopt standards for cities and counties to allow passenger elevators no larger than those that accommodate a wheelchair for apartment buildings with no more than six stories and 24 units. Currently, buildings must have elevators large enough to accommodate a gurney, so developers will likely not build them at all due to high elevator costs. This bill proposes changes to the code to increase the likelihood that passenger elevators could be built in smaller buildings. Passed the Senate. Referred to House Housing Committee

 

LIVABLE COMMUNITIES

Livable communities include essential features that allow residents of all ages and backgrounds to thrive. These include mixed-use zoning, safe and varied transportation options, and diverse housing types. Livable communities also have public spaces that benefit everyone. In addition, they provide access to essential businesses and services, such as grocery stores, high-speed internet, and healthcare options. 

• SUPPORT (HB 1826): Establishing a right to repair mobility equipment for persons with physical disabilities. This bill gives people with physical disabilities the right to repair their mobility equipment, like wheelchairs and scooters. It requires manufacturers to provide the necessary parts, tools, and information for repairs, making it easier and faster to fix these essential devices. The bill also protects manufacturers from liability for damages caused by independent repairs. Referred to House Rules Committee
  
• SUPPORT (SB 5110): Tribal Elder Tuition Waiver - Learning is a lifelong endeavor, and for many adults ages 50 and older, it is an essential part of how they choose to age. But finding access to affordable learning opportunities can be challenging. AARP supports this measure to provide tuition waivers for tribal elders 55 and older to attend community colleges and technical schools. Passed the Senate. Referred to House Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee
  
• SUPPORT: Senior Nutrition Program – Washington has underinvested in the food safety net for seniors and people with disabilities. Despite having more seniors and more seniors in poverty, our state budget hasn’t included any additional ongoing funding for critical food programs serving these communities in years. AARP supports an ask from Washington's Aging and Long-term Support Administration to include funding to provide meals to 18,000 seniors. (Budget ask: no bill number)
  
• SUPPORT: Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Disability - In 2013, AARP successfully advocated for creating this committee to develop strategies for the aging population. The legislature must approve funding each budget cycle to sustain and maintain the committee. (Budget ask: no bill number)
  

 

LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORT

The high cost of long-term services and supports (LTSS) causes many older adults to fear impoverishment, becoming a burden to their families, or both. There is limited insurance coverage to ease these fears. And as the baby boom generation ages, the need for services will increase. At the same time, there will be fewer family caregivers to provide such care. States can take interim steps to ensure that LTSS are affordable and fiscally sustainable to individuals and governments. These efforts can also enhance the financial security of individuals and their families from the potential risk of impoverishment.

• SUPPORT (SB 5337): Creating a certification for memory care services. This legislation seeks to improve dementia care in Washington by creating a certification for memory care services. The certification would launch on July 1, 2026, and prohibit anyone from operating or maintaining a memory care facility or memory care unit within the state without a certification after that date. Referred to Senate Rules Committee
  
• SUPPORT (SB 5291): Implementing the recommendations of the long-term services and supports trust commission. This legislation seeks to strengthen the WACares program by adopting recommendations from the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission, which includes removing the 10 consecutive years proviso, providing exemptions for active duty military and non-immigrant visa holders and allowing people who opted out to opt back in. Passed out of Senate. Referred to House.
  
• SUPPORT (SJR 8201): Amending the Constitution to allow the state to invest money from long-term services and supports accounts. Many state funds were long ago exempted from Washington’s constitutional prohibition on investments in stocks and bonds. This list includes workers' compensation, disability trust funds, and pensions for frontline workers like our teachers and firefighters. This legislation provides the same type of exemption for the WA Cares program. Implementation will further assist in program solvency. Passed out of Senate. Referred to House.
  

 

HEALTH

AARP works on policies and legislation to promote and sustain individual and population health and improve healthcare by ensuring access to equitable, high-quality, affordable care. Enabling the improvement of people’s health depends on systems that support healthy choices and provide everyone with affordable, high-quality care. To start, people should have access to care throughout their lives without regard to health, wealth, or location. Interventions and public policies at all levels of government can reduce barriers to healthy living and influence health outside formal medical care systems.

 

SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT SECURITY

A variety of strategies are needed to ensure financial security in retirement. A strong Social Security system and protection of pension promises are vital. In addition, all workers, regardless of industry, employment status, or occupation, need effective retirement plans and savings vehicles throughout their working lives that provide financial security and stability.