Committee advances Washington Bridal Insurance Act (SB 6248) to protect travel consumers

The Consumer Protection and Business Committee on Feb. 25 voted to report substitute Senate Bill 6,248, known in testimony as the Washington Bridal Insurance Act, out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Staff described the bill as a statutory framework for regulating the offer and dissemination of travel insurance, licensing limited-lines travel-insurance producers, registering travel retailers, setting sales-practice restrictions and establishing related consumer protections. Committee staff told members there were no amendments in the committee bill packet for this item.

Representative Friu urged members to support the bill, saying: "With this bill, we are setting up a Washington bridal insurance act ... we can travel in confidence. Please vote aye." Representative McClintock, who said he cosponsored the measure in the House, also urged a yes vote and described it as "good consumer protection, and good for the industry."

After brief discussion the chair called a voice vote and later had staff document the tally. Staff announced 14 members voting in the affirmative, one member voting no and one member excused; the committee reported SB 6,248 out with a due-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill standardizes consumer protections for travel-related insurance products, clarifies licensing obligations for producers, and sets registration and sales-practice expectations for travel retailers. There were no committee amendments to the measure at the time it was reported.

What happens next: SB 6,248 will be transmitted with the committee's due-pass recommendation to the next house or committee of referral for further consideration.