FINAL BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 5693

                         PARTIAL VETO

                          C 384 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing the developmental disabilities endowment trust fund.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Wojahn, McDonald, Deccio, Thibaudeau, Roach, Winsley, Oke, Rasmussen, Prentice and Costa).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:  Individuals with developmental disabilities have conditions related to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism or other neurological conditions which originated before their 18th birthday and are expected to continue indefinitely.

Most persons with developmental disabilities reside at home, some receiving an array of services through state and federal-funded programs.  Others reside in residential facilities in the community or institutions operated specifically for the developmentally disabled.

It is recognized that people with developmental disabilities need services throughout their lives and well beyond the point when their families can support them.  Providing for these on-going services as caregivers age is important for these families.

Summary:  The developmental disabilities endowment trust fund is created.  The endowment is funded through private contributions and state appropriations and invested by the State Investment Board.

The operations of the endowment fund are directed by a seven-member governing board made up of people with experience in finance, business, developmental disabilities services or public policy.  At least three members must be family members of people with developmental disabilities.

The governing board must contract for the development of a proposed operating plan which is to include:  actuarial and financial analysis of and recommendation on alternative service levels and cost; participation rates; contribution levels; eligibility criteria; and administrative mechanism and costs.

Private contributions and the associated state match are reserved for use by the person on whose behalf they were contributed.

The governing board must submit the proposed operating plan to the Legislature by October 1, 2000, but further legislation is not required before the program is implemented.  The governing board can either administer the plan through the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development or contract for a private administrator.

The provisions of this act are put under the chapter of law that governs the community, trade, and economic development agency.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 49 0

House     96 0

Effective:  July 25, 1999

Partial Veto Summary:  Two sections were vetoed:  Section 3, which authorized the State Investment Board to invest funds from the endowment, and Section 6, which outlined a proposed operating plan for the fund.