Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Human Services & Early Learning Committee

HB 1651

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning the rights of clients of the developmental disabilities administration of the department of social and health services.

Sponsors: Representatives Kilduff, Dent, Lovick, Eslick, Senn, Leavitt, Macri, Callan, Cody, Tarleton, Ortiz-Self, Goodman, Jinkins, Frame, Bergquist and Santos.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Establishes certain rights for clients of the Developmental Disability Administration.

  • Specifies the right to personal power and choice, participate in service planning, access service and healthcare information, file complaints and grievances, privacy and confidentiality access to advocates, and certain rights upon termination of services.

Hearing Date: 2/8/19

Staff: Alaura Valley (786-7291), Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

Developmental Disabilities Administration.

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and support based on individual preferences, capabilities, and needs. The DDA clients live in residential habilitations centers, an institutional setting, as well as in the community.

Eligibility for DDA services hinges on whether the client has a qualified developmental disability, has a functional need, and meets certain income and asset standards.

The services provided to clients are designed to promote everyday activities, routines, and relationships common to most citizens, and they include employment services and community access services, which are contracted with counties.

Summary of Bill:

Certain rights are established and apply to all clients of the DDA. The DDA must provide clients and designated representatives with written notice of these rights and obtain written acknowledgement of receipt. This notice must be provided upon determining an individual is eligible and upon an individual's assessment.

Personal Rights.

Clients of the DDA have the right to personal power and choice which includes a client's right to:

Clients of the DDA have the right to privacy and confidentiality. This includes the right to:

Clients of the DDA have the right to access advocates, receive information from agencies acting as client advocates, and contact these agencies.

Service Related Rights.

Clients of the DDA have the right to participate in service planning. This includes the right to:

Clients of the DDA have the right to access information about services and health care. This includes the right to:

Clients of the DDA have the right to file complaints and grievances, and to request appeals. This includes the right to:

Rights Upon Termination of Services.

Clients of the DDA have the following rights during discharge, transfer, and termination of services:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 1, 2019.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.