Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Early Learning & Human Services Committee

HB 2767

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Defining and using the term center-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors: Representatives Walsh, Kagi, Kilduff, Schmick and Dye.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Creates a definition for "center-based services" for individuals with developmental disabilities.

  • Requires the Developmental Disability Administration to adopt and revise rules to ensure that the term "center-based services" is used.

Hearing Date: 2/2/16

Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).

Background:

Prevocational services for individuals with developmental disabilities are not defined in statute, but are defined in the Washington Administrative Code. The code defines prevocational services as typically occurring in a specialized or segregated setting and includes individualized monthly employment related activities in the community.

Summary of Bill:

A definition for "center-based services" is added the RCW Title relating to developmental disabilities. Center-based services is defined to mean job-training, skill development, and community employment services provided by a nonprofit organization for individuals with significant disabilities. Services can be provided at a facility, or any portion thereof, or at an integrated community site operated by the corporation, where business work activities are carried on and whose primary purpose is to provide gainful employment training and preparatory training services to individuals with disabilities who are not prepared for competitive employment, or during such time as employment opportunities for the individual in the competitive labor market do not exist. Services under the "center-based services" definition may include skill evaluation, job training, and other employment-related services for individuals with developmental or other significant disabilities whose mental, emotional, or physical limitations keep them from obtaining work in the competitive labor market.

The Secretary of the Developmental Disability Administration must adopt and revise rules to ensure that the term "center-based services" is used to refer to services meeting the definition above.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.