1827-S

AN ACT Relating to regional service centers for the deaf; reenacting and amending RCW 43.20A.360; and adding new sections to chapter 43.20A RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature intends within available resources to assure quality human services to enhance the lives of deaf and hard of hearing people throughout the state by providing:

(1) Communication accessibility through the coordination of interpreter and other information services;

(2) Quality human services for deaf and hard of hearing citizens;

(3) Coordination among private and public agencies, the office of deaf and hard of hearing services, regions, and the deaf and hard of hearing community; and

(4) Training and educational services regarding the deaf and hard of hearing to public and private agencies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The following definitions apply throughout sections 1 and 3 through 5 of this act:

"Deaf person" means a person with severe or complete absence of auditory sensitivity whose primary effective receptive communication mode is visual, tactile, or both.

"Hard of hearing person" means a person with:

(1) Some absence of auditory sensitivity who has residual hearing that may be sufficient to produce linguistic information through audition with or without amplification under favorable listening conditions; or

(2) Other auditory handicapping conditions.

"Office" means the office of deaf and hard of hearing services within the department.

"Regional board of directors" means a group of persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or advocates and, by appointment or vote, are delegated to represent the interest of the deaf and hard of hearing community within a region.

"Regional service center" means a community-based center located within a region that provides service delivery to deaf and hard of hearing individuals.

"State advisory committee" means the state advisory committee for state programs for the deaf.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The state advisory committee for state programs for the deaf shall consist of one representative of the office, one representative of each regional service center, two representatives of each regional board of directors, and other members as designated by the secretary, who by appointment or vote, are delegated to represent, in the development of programs, the interests of the regional board of directors, the office, and the regional service centers. Members of the state advisory committee shall meet at least annually and shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) Regional service centers shall be established within each of the department's regions.

(2) Regional service centers shall provide services appropriate to the needs of the region and form a core for community-based services. These services may include, but need not be limited to:

(a) Information and referral;

(b) Individual and systems advocacy;

(d) Community access coordination;

(e) Community and public education;

(f) Provision of facilities;

(g) Telecommunication technical assistance; and

(h) Social, mental health, and vocational development.

(3) All services provided by regional service centers shall be communicatively accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing through the use of American sign language, visual English, and assistive listening systems and devices, as well as other auxiliary aids.

(4) Regional service centers may provide services to deaf and hard of hearing clients who reside outside the region upon request.

(5) Regional service centers shall meet criteria established by the office and hold articles of incorporation for nonprofit organizations established by the secretary of state.

(6) Each regional service center shall establish a board of directors which shall meet regularly. The board of directors shall: (a) Include deaf and hard of hearing persons as a majority of the make up of the board; and (b) invite and include members who represent all major metropolitan areas within the region as well as rural areas, so as to provide balanced and representative membership.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The office, in consultation with the state advisory committee, shall recommend programs to and establish criteria for regional service centers. The office shall award contracts to qualified regional service centers representing the deaf and hard of hearing population within each region.

Sec. 6. RCW 43.20A.360 and 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 s 214 and 1989 c 11 s 14 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(1) The secretary is hereby authorized to appoint such advisory committees or councils as may be required by any federal legislation as a condition to the receipt of federal funds by the department. The secretary may appoint state‑wide committees or councils in the following subject areas: (a) Health facilities; (b) children and youth services; (c) blind services; (d) medical and health care; (e) deaf services; (f) drug abuse and alcoholism; ((~~(f)~~)) (g) social services; ((~~(g)~~)) (h) economic services; ((~~(h)~~)) (i) vocational services; ((~~(i)~~)) (j) rehabilitative services; and on such other subject matters as are or come within the department's responsibilities. The secretary shall appoint committees or councils advisory to the department in each service delivery region to be designated by the secretary. The state‑wide and the regional councils shall have representation from both major political parties and shall have substantial consumer representation. Such committees or councils shall be constituted as required by federal law or as the secretary in his or her discretion may determine. The members of the committees or councils shall hold office for three years except in the case of a vacancy, in which event appointment shall be only for the remainder of the unexpired term for which the vacancy occurs. No member shall serve more than two consecutive terms.

(2) Members of such state advisory committees or councils may be paid their travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now existing or hereafter amended. Members of regional advisory committees may, in the discretion of the secretary, be paid the same travel expenses as set forth above.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 43.20A RCW.