S-0328.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5159

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators Kohl, Long, McAuliffe, Fairley, Hargrove and Winsley

Read first time 01/16/97.  Referred to Committee on Human Services & Corrections.

Limiting reduction or termination of family support services to persons with developmental disabilities for reduced attendance in programs or facilities.

    AN ACT Relating to family support services for persons with developmental disabilities; and adding a new section to chapter 71A.12 RCW.

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 department shall not reduce or terminate funding for family support services for an eligible person based on reduced attendance in a program or facility if:

    (1) The reduced attendance is due to a condition related to the eligible person's developmental disability or a chronic illness; and

    (2) The department determines that:  (a) The benefit to the eligible person is not substantially diminished by the reduced attendance; and (b) a reduction in funding would substantially impair the ability of the program or facility to provide services to the eligible person.

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