BILL REQ. #:  H-2159.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/04/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to the disposition of surplus facilities for persons with developmental disabilities; adding a new section to chapter 71A.20 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that: There is an unmet need for services for persons with developmental disabilities that is exacerbated by the current fiscal crisis; funding shortfalls in the 2003-2005 biennium and beyond may adversely impact the ability of the state to fund programs for growing numbers of unserved persons with developmental disabilities; statistics generated by the department of social and health services' division of developmental disabilities have demonstrated a growing caseload with no increased funding to keep up with this growth; and the funding shortfall includes funding for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive employment or day programs that are essential to the continued efforts to provide a full spectrum of community care consistent with the growing unmet need. The December 4, 2002, capital study of the division of developmental disabilities residential habilitation centers by the joint legislative audit and review committee identifies options to dispose of surplus property at Lakeland Village, Rainier School, and Yakima Valley School.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 71A.20 RCW to read as follows:
     After the effective date of this section, the net proceeds of the sale or sales of any building, facility, or tract of land not held in trust at any of the residential habilitation centers identified in this chapter must be designated to supplement funding or restore reductions in employment and day services and other needs identified by the department to provide specifically for the needs of the developmental disabilities community.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.