SSB 5985
In CommitteeSenate
Endometriosis
Concerning endometriosis.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill creates an online resource center on endometriosis developed by the University of Washington and Washington State University, and requires the Department of Health to create training for health care providers. It also mandates that state school standards include information about menstrual health and red flags like severe pain that may signal endometriosis.
- Create an online resource center on endometriosis by July 1, 2028, led by the University of Washington and Washington State University in partnership with people with lived experience.
- The resource center must include evidence-based guidance on detecting and diagnosing endometriosis, providing care, and communicating with patients.
- The Department of Health must develop and make available health care provider training modules on endometriosis—including for primary care providers—by July 1, 2030.
- Incorporate menstrual health education—including how to distinguish normal menstrual discomfort from severe symptoms like those of endometriosis—into Washington’s K–12 health and physical education standards.
Who is affected
- Students in K–12 public schools — Students in Washington public schools will receive updated health education that includes information about menstrual health and how to recognize when menstrual symptoms may indicate a condition like endometriosis.
- Health care providers — Health care providers—including primary care clinicians—will have access to state-developed training modules on endometriosis to improve diagnosis and care.
- People with or affected by endometriosis — Individuals with endometriosis or those who suspect they may have it will benefit from improved access to reliable, evidence-based information and more informed care.
- University researchers and public health agencies — The University of Washington and Washington State University will lead development of an online resource center on endometriosis, requiring collaboration with affected individuals and health experts.
- Department of Health staff and contractors — The Washington State Department of Health will be responsible for creating and distributing training materials for health care providers on endometriosis.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Creation of an evidence-based online resource center will improve access to reliable endometriosis information for patients and providers, reducing diagnostic delays and improving care quality—especially for low-income, rural, or underinsured patients who rely on public health resources.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)Mandated provider training—including for primary care clinicians—will standardize and improve clinical recognition of endometriosis, reducing misdiagnosis and unnecessary suffering, particularly for patients who face systemic delays in care (e.g., women of color, Medicaid recipients).
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)Incorporating menstrual health education—including how to distinguish normal from abnormal symptoms—into K–12 standards empowers students (especially girls and gender-diverse youth) to recognize warning signs early, seek timely care, and reduce long-term health complications and costs.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)Improved public awareness and provider education may reduce stigma around menstrual health, encouraging earlier help-seeking behavior and decreasing emergency department visits for unmanaged pain—indirectly supporting public safety through reduced strain on emergency systems.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)Lived-experience involvement in resource development ensures materials are patient-centered and culturally responsive, improving trust and engagement—especially for marginalized groups historically excluded from health research design.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1(1)
Potential Concerns (1)
Mandates curriculum revision to include menstrual health and red flags for endometriosis, which may increase instructional time and require teacher training—costs borne by school districts without new funding, potentially diverting resources from other priorities.
EducationPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1)
Who Is Most Affected
Students gain early awareness of menstrual health and red flags, potentially reducing long-term health disparities—but may face discomfort or stigma if instruction is not culturally competent or well-facilitated.
Providers gain standardized, evidence-based tools to diagnose and support patients—reducing diagnostic delays—but may face time and workflow burdens if training is not integrated into existing CE requirements.
People with endometriosis benefit from improved access to information and more informed clinicians, shortening diagnostic delays (currently ~7.5 years on average)—but those without internet access or digital literacy may be left behind.
Universities gain leadership roles in public health research and outreach, but must allocate staff time and resources without new funding—potentially diverting from other priorities.
DOH staff gain authority to lead statewide health education, but implementation without dedicated funding may strain existing public health infrastructure, especially in rural counties.