HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1607

BYRepresentatives Walk, Tate, Jacobsen, Walker, Prentice and Wineberry

Including muscular dystrophy in the definition of developmental disabilities.

House Committe on Human Services

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Bristow, Chair; Scott, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Republican Member; Tate, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Anderson, Hargrove, Leonard, Padden, Raiter and Winsley.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington State's developmental disabilities program is established by state statutes to care for, habilitate and generally aid persons who are severely developmentally disabled.  About one in every 161 persons in Washington State is severely developmentally disabled.

A "developmental disability" is a condition which interferes in some way with a person's normal development. As public funds are limited, the state's program is focused on those persons whose developmental disabilities are likely to substantially handicap their ordinary living.

For persons to be eligible for services provided by the Department of Social and Health Services,  their developmental disability must be attributable to mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or any other condition that is closely related to mental retardation either by how it manifests itself or by mode of treatment.  Also, the disability must have originated before age eighteen, must be expected to continue indefinitely, and must constitute a substantial handicap.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL: The department is required to study and make recommendations by January, 1990 on a redefinition of developmental disability based on functional limitations, which may include muscular dystrophy, and not based on a diagnosis of conditions. The department is required to consult with the legislature and Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in conducting the study. Obsolete language is repealed.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Muscular dystrophy as a condition covered by the definition of developmental disability was deleted.

Fiscal Note:      Requested February 3, 1989.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Nancy Haughee, Persons Affected by Muscular Dystrophy; Em Finlay, South King County Chapter of Washington State Head Injury Fund; James Anderson, Persons Affected by Muscular Dystrophy; Donald Schill, Persons Affected by Muscular Dystrophy; Shirley Nodell, Washington State Head Injury Fund; Sandi DeCoy, Persons Affected by Muscular Dystrophy.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The current definition of developmental disability is related to mental retardation, but there are other disabilities which are equally disabling. A definition based on functions, much like the federal law, is both fairer and more flexible.  A study would be helpful in assessing the ramifications of a new approach to eligibility for state services.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.