Washington WA
No banNo state law restricts puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgery for minors.
Last verified: 13 Oct 2026
Medical care for minorsNo ban
No state law restricts puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones or surgery for minors.
Chapter 7.115 RCW (SB 5489, 2023)
Medicaid and CHIPState funds
From 13 Oct 2026, Washington will keep paying for these procedures with state funds and will no longer use Medicaid funds for them. A federal CMS final rule (13 Aug 2026) prohibits federal Medicaid and CHIP funding for these procedures for patients under 18 (Medicaid) and under 19 (CHIP).
42 C.F.R. 441.800–802, 457.476 (91 Fed. Reg. 52406)
State employee coverageCovers
State employee health plans explicitly cover gender-transition procedures.
2026 Evidence of Coverage PEBB Classic Plan - (choose.kaiserpermanente.org)
SportsNo state law
No state law separates school sports by biological sex; eligibility is set by schools and athletic associations.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
FacilitiesNo state law
No state law requires restrooms or changing facilities to be used according to biological sex.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
Pronouns and parent noticeNo state law
No state law requires schools to notify parents about a student's gender identity or name and pronoun requests.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
CurriculumGender-identity content required
State law requires curricula to include the contributions of LGBT people.
LGBTQ-inclusive curricular standards. See SB5462 (2024), and
Definition of sexNo state law
No state statute defines sex in biological terms across state law.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
Identity documentsBirth-certificate sex changed by self-declaration
Birth-certificate sex changed by self-declaration; driver's licence sex changed by self-declaration. 'X' marker offered.
Sex Designation Change on a Birth Certificate | Washington State Department of Health (doh.wa.gov)
Shield lawShield law
State law limits cooperation with out-of-state legal actions over these procedures when they are lawful in the state.
Chapter 7.115 RCW (SB 5489, 2023)
AdultsNo state law
No state law restricts adult access to, or public funding of, gender-transition procedures.
No state law identified (statute review, Oct 2026)
DetransitionNo state law
No state law provides an extended limitations period or other remedy specific to detransitioners.
No state law identified
PrisonsCase-by-case, gender-identity placement on request
A multidisciplinary review decides; requests for a facility matching gender identity need Deputy Secretary approval.
DOC Policy 490.700
Pending billsNo active bills
No active bills (checked 13 Oct 2026). The 2026 regular session has adjourned (or the legislature does not meet in 2026), so 2025-26 bills are no longer moving. LegiScan search linked.
LegiScan search, checked 13 Oct 2026 (adjourned legislature)
LitigationActive
Plaintiff in Illinois v. HHS (D. Mass., filed 2 Sept 2026) challenging the CMS funding rule.
Complaint, Illinois v. HHS, No. 1:26-cv (D. Mass., filed 2 Sep 2026)
Key datesNone upcoming
No upcoming effective dates or court deadlines were identified.
Review, Oct 2026
Sources
- Chapter 7.115 RCW (SB 5489, 2023) →
- 42 C.F.R. 441.800–802, 457.476 (91 Fed. Reg. 52406) →
- Washington Health Care Authority — public notice WSR 26-21-006 →
- 2026 Evidence of Coverage PEBB Classic Plan - (choose.kaiserpermanente.org) →
- LGBTQ-inclusive curricular standards. See SB5462 (2024), and →
- Sex Designation Change on a Birth Certificate | Washington State Department of Health (doh.wa.gov) →
- DOC Policy 490.700 →
- LegiScan search, checked 13 Oct 2026 (adjourned legislature) →
- Complaint, Illinois v. HHS, No. 1:26-cv (D. Mass., filed 2 Sep 2026) →