Wash. Senate Panel Clears AI, 988 Bills

A Washington state Senate fiscal committee cleared bills on AI and the 988 mental health hotline in unanimous voice votes during a livestreamed meeting Monday. The Ways and Means committee approved SB-5838, with an amendment by sponsor Sen. Joe Nguyen (D) establishing an AI task force. In addition, legislators cleared SB-6308 that extends timelines for implementing the 988 system, including providing the state health department 18 additional months to develop the technology platform. The bill would extend that deadline to Jan. 1, 2026, from July 1 this year. Also, the panel approved SB-6251, which includes a provision allowing behavioral health administrative service organizations to recommend 988 contact hub contractors within each regional service area. The panel approved an amendment by sponsor Sen. Manka Dhingra (D) with various tweaks to SB-6251. The bills will go next to the Rules Committee.