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Elder and Vulnerable Adult Referral Agency Act (RCW 18.330)
Summary
Washington’s Elder and Vulnerable Adult Referral Agency Act defines the required standards for any organization helping families find senior housing or care. These rules protect vulnerable adults by ensuring transparency, proper disclosures, and ethical referral practices. This page includes a brief overview and a link to the complete statute for easy reference.
Washington State regulates the work of elder and vulnerable adult referral agencies to protect seniors, families, and professionals involved in placement. RCW 18.330 sets the standards every referral agency must follow, including required disclosures, intake procedures, recordkeeping, mandated reporting obligations, conflict-of-interest rules, and refund policies. These requirements ensure that placement guidance remains transparent, ethical, and centered on the needs of vulnerable adults.
This information matters for both professionals and consumers. Families often make decisions during stressful moments, and knowing what referral agencies are obligated to provide helps them recognize trustworthy support. For professionals in healthcare, social work, and senior care, a clear understanding of the law helps strengthen communication with families, align expectations, and support compliant practices across the industry.
This document is provided by the Association of Senior Referral Professionals of Washington to support consistent education, ethical standards, and transparency across the senior housing and care referral field.