AN ACT Relating to enhancement of employment transition programs for developmentally disabled high school students; adding a new section to chapter 71A.12 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.20A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28A.155 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 71A.12 RCW to read as follows:

The legislature recognizes that developmentally disabled citizens are active, involved, and contributing community members. The legislature finds that scarce resources limit the state's ability to meet the needs of all unserved developmentally disabled citizens. Due to this limited resource availability, developmentally disabled high school graduates and other adults are often placed on a waiting list for residential services, employment services, or other appropriate day programs. Waiting lists cause developmentally disabled high school graduates and other adults to experience a deterioration in life and work skills. The legislature declares that current waiting lists limit the unserved developmentally disabled citizen's immense potential for contribution to their community.

Effective July 1, 1992, the legislature intends to expand services through the regional disabilities employment function in order to promote an effective transition from school to employment or other community activities for developmentally disabled secondary school students within available resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:

The secretary shall establish a regional disabilities employment function that shall provide services to promote and enhance effective transition from educational or treatment programs to employment for persons with functional limitations, including mental illness, developmental disabilities, as defined in RCW 71A.10.020, and traumatic brain injuries. The regional disabilities employment function shall also enhance the use of alternative resources such as social security work incentives and natural supports and promote competitive, integrated employment opportunities in both the public and private sector.

The regional disabilities employment function shall: (1) Develop a package of incentives, offered by application to interested local school districts, that enhance the disabled student's transition from school to work. The incentives may include, but are not limited to, technical assistance and training for teachers or staff, curriculum development, and other measures necessary to promote flexible teaching and educational practices that support the transition to integrated, competitive, and continuing employment; and (2) collaborate with businesses, government agencies, local schools, postsecondary educational institutions, regional support networks, developmental disabilities boards, or other relevant county authorities to develop and encourage collaborative community linkages and partnerships that create placement opportunities, provide mentors and prepare functionally disabled citizens for the transition from school or treatment programs to work.

The secretary shall contract for this function on a competitive basis from a list provided by the regional disabilities employment advisory councils pursuant to section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.20A RCW to read as follows:

(1) The secretary shall appoint regional disabilities employment advisory councils to provide oversight to regional disabilities employment function contractors pursuant to section 2 of this act. Advisory councils shall use a competitive applications process to develop a list of potential regional disabilities employment function contractors from existing community organizations such as individuals, firms, nonprofit organizations, county authorities, or other programs demonstrating proven expertise in supported employment and a willingness to collaborate with county authorities, regional support networks, schools, and other involved parties. Advisory councils shall plan for the services and community options provided by the regional disabilities employment function contractor pursuant to section 2 of this act.

(2) Members of the advisory council shall include but not be limited to:

(a) Developmentally disabled, traumatically brain injured, or mentally ill individuals or their parents;

(b) Local secondary school representatives including certificated, administrative, and instructional staff;

(d) Representatives of regional support networks, developmental disabilities boards, and other relevant county authorities or public agencies; and

(e) Representatives of local businesses and community organizations.

(3) The advisory council shall consist of not more than twenty members.

(4) Members shall be appointed for terms of three years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(5) The members of regional advisory councils shall not be compensated for the performance of their duties as members of the council, but may be paid subsistence rates and mileage in the amounts prescribed by RCW 42.24.090.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The individual education plan for a student with development disabilities as defined under RCW 71A.10.020 shall include transition services beginning not later than when the student reaches age sixteen. The portion of the individual education plan regarding transition services shall be reviewed annually. The plan for transition services shall be developed in conjunction with a regional coordinator of transitional services for developmentally disabled persons, if any. To the extent consistent with an appropriate education for the student, preference shall be given to providing transitional services in a community setting, to the preferences of parents and guardians, and to the student's occupational preferences and interests.

(2) If available and if consistent with an appropriate education for the student and with subsection (1) of this section, a school district, a group of school districts, or special education cooperatives shall contract for the provision of transition services through a regional coordinator of transition services for developmentally disabled persons.

(3) As used in this section, transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a student, designed within an outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to postschool activities, including postsecondary education, vocational education and training, integrated employment including supported employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation.

(4) The superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules as needed to implement this section. These rules are in addition to the rules adopted by the superintendent of public instruction to provide for transition services for students who are not developmentally disabled but have other handicapping conditions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill number, is not provided by June 30, 1992, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act shall be null and void.