"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 71A.10 RCW to read as follows:

(1) When enrolling eligible clients in open home and community-based services waiver slots and for purposes of determining access to specific waiver services, to the extent consistent with federal law and federal funding requirements, the administration shall prioritize clients in the following populations in addition to any other statutorily prioritized populations:

(a) Persons with developmental disabilities who are age 45 and older;

(b) Persons with developmental disabilities who, within the previous six months, have remained in a hospital without a safe discharge plan; and

(c) Persons who are discharging from institutional settings including residential habilitation centers and state hospitals.

(2) The department shall routinely collect data on the following items related to the populations identified in subsection (1) of this section:

(a) Age of the client's primary caregiver, if cared for by a parent, relative, or other nonprofessional caregiver;

(b) Type of residence, and, if a family home, other adults living in the home who are or could potentially be appropriate caregivers; and

(c) Barriers identified to access services needed in order for the client to live or continue to live in a community setting."

Modifies the categories of Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) clients that must be prioritized for waiver slots and access to waiver services by: (1) Indicating that the persons who are prioritized due to remaining in a hospital are those without a safe discharge plan, rather than those who have remained in that setting without medical necessity due to lack of community-based services and supports; and (2) expanding the category of those discharging from residential habilitation centers to also include those discharging from other institutional settings including state hospitals.