2025 Legislative Session Overview
Dear Adult Family Home Providers,
As the 2025 legislative session draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect — with gratitude, pride, and determination. This legislative session was not easy. In fact, it is the toughest we’ve seen in over a decade. Washington State faced its largest budget shortfall, grappling with a staggering $15 billion deficit. And in that kind of climate, nothing is safe – programs were cut, services were slashed, and every line item was on the chopping block. Yet, you showed up. You stood together. And because of that, we made meaningful progress that would not have been possible without your advocacy, your passion, and your voice.
Hard-Fought But Difficult Outcomes
Even in the face of deep budget cuts, we fought to protect the values and services that matter most to you, your homes, and the residents you serve. While we secured important wins, we also faced some difficult obstacles. We want to acknowledge them honestly:
- Civil Penalty Account: Despite our advocacy, the legislature expanded the allowable use of the Adult Family Home Account, permitting funds intended for resident-focused initiatives to be used for broader program operations. This change risks diverting vital resources away from the direct care and quality-of-life improvements our residents deserve.
- Bed Licensing Fees: Although we fought relentlessly to stop the increase, the state has doubled the licensing bed fee to $450 per bed. We successfully pushed the legislature to lower it from an initial proposal of $502 per bed and secured a Medicaid rate add-on to help offset the impact for Medicaid residents. While all homes will pay the new $450 fee, those with Medicaid residents will receive partial reimbursement through an increase to their base daily rate to offset these fees. In comparison to other long-term care settings, ours only doubled while assisted living facilities bed fees tripled. Adult family homes fared better thanks to your advocacy.
- Meaningful Day Services: Following Governor Ferguson’s directive for agencies to propose budget cuts, DSHS and DDA recommended ending the Meaningful Day contract. You came to Olympia. You raised your voices. You shared your stories. Despite a strong, united effort, the final state budget eliminates future access to Meaningful Day services for new adult family home residents starting July 1, 2025. We are working with DSHS to figure out what this means for your home, and we will provide you with more information soon.
Hard-Earned Wins
Despite the immense challenges, we did have some well-deserved successes this session. We secured real wins!
$300 MILLION Collective Bargaining Agreement was fully funded! The collective bargaining agreement for adult family home providers was fully funded. Below are your new rates! That means meaningful wage increases – dollars in your pockets to help you keep doing this work.
Additional CBA Changes and Increases
The rates below are a flat fee and paid regardless of county or classification.
Community Behavior Health Supports and Intensive Behavioral Supportive Supervision Add on Rate:
Hospice
When a significant change assessment is requested for residents currently on hospice services, case managers are required to complete the assessment within 10 business days.
Medical Escort Fee
A Medical escort fee is now defined as “providing assistance and accompaniment to the resident for the duration of a medical appointment where the resident could not otherwise participate in the medical appointment without assistance, due to physical or cognitive challenges.” AFHs are no longer required to provide a denial of Medicaid transport.
SB 5672 Home Care Aide Certification
Senate Bill 5672, which offers long-term care workers additional time to complete the home care aide certification process, passed with strong support. This bill is not just a technical fix — it’s a meaningful step toward workforce equity, flexibility, and retention. The state will most likely start working an implementation strategy starting July 1, 2025.
Looking Ahead
This year was about protecting what we could. Next year, we’ll build. The relationships you’ve built with lawmakers, the stories you’ve shared, and the trust you’ve earned are already paving the way for 2026. We will also be establishing a legislative agenda that reflects the voices of adult family homes. The work is not over! The momentum is real.
You are just not providers. You are advocates. You are problem-solvers. You are protectors of dignity and champions of choice. And today, more than ever. I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you! It has been an honor and privilege representing you this legislative session.
If you are not yet a member of the Adult Family Home Council, now is the time. Join us! Medicaid or Private Pay Providers – Your voice makes us stronger. Your membership makes our movement unstoppable.
Thank you for everything you do—for your residents, for one another, and for the future of adult family homes.
Together, we shall overcome!
Hope C. Reffett
Interim Executive Director
Adult Family Home Council
Not a Member Yet?
Membership fees enable the Council to cover legal expenses and fund staff to advocate with the state and regulatory agencies. The participation of every adult family home is vital to ensuring fair regulations and rates that accurately reflect the costs of caring for our vulnerable adults. Consider becoming a member of the Council to help us continue improving conditions for all adult family homes in Washington State.