AN ACT Relating to reducing the developmental disabilities administration's no-paid services caseload services;
Summary
SB 5394 modifies Washington’s Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) “no-paid services” caseload. The bill requires the department to hire two permanent full-time employees to regularly review and maintain the caseload, including updating it so it accurately reflects the current number of eligible individuals and identifying people who have been contacted and are interested in receiving paid services, either immediately or within the next year. Beginning December 1, 2026, the department must report this information annually to the governor and the appropriate legislative committees.
The bill also authorizes the department to provide limited case resource management services to clients on the no-paid-services caseload. Those services include contacting clients, discussing their service needs, and explaining available service options through the department or community resources. Inactive clients on the no-paid-services caseload may not receive these case resource management services. The bill is framed as an administrative and caseload-management measure rather than a broad expansion of eligibility or entitlement to services.
Impact
The bill amends RCW 71A.12.040 and related provisions governing the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s management of its no-paid-services caseload. It creates a staffing requirement, adds ongoing review and reporting duties, and permits limited outreach and case resource management for certain clients. The practical effect is to improve tracking of unmet need and service interest among people with developmental disabilities, while not itself creating new paid-service eligibility or guaranteed service slots.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received generally favorable support throughout the legislative process. It advanced out of Senate and House committees, passed the Senate unanimously, and passed the House with a substantial majority, though not without some opposition on final House passage. The committee votes suggest broad agreement that the caseload should be better maintained and that the state should improve contact with individuals waiting for services.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the balance between administrative improvement and added state obligations. Supporters appear to favor better tracking, outreach, and transparency for people waiting for developmental disability services, while opponents may have been concerned about the cost of adding permanent staff, the scope of outreach duties, or whether the bill could imply expectations of service access without additional funding. The final House vote, with 18 nays, indicates some resistance even though the bill ultimately passed.
Revised for 1st substitute: Concerning the age at which clients of the home and community living administration may receive employment and community inclusion services.
AN ACT Relating to improving the efficient delivery of services to persons with developmental disabilities by streamlining monitoring and oversight activities related to community residential service business providers;