Finds that state institutions serve a critical role in the delivery of services and long-term residential care for the people of the state of Washington. Maintaining the capital needs and assessing the need for efficiencies, consolidation, expansion, reduction, closure, and replacement of state institutions requires both long-term planning and financing. A fair, objective, and factual assessment of the capital facilities is a critical part of how to best meet the needs of the clients of the institutions and the citizens of Washington. However, the state lacks an independent review process for state institutions with excess capacity or with alternative service delivery models to meet state policy.

Finds that independent evidence-based facts are crucial to any decision that affects Washington citizens who reside in state institutions; and that a fair and objective analysis of the independent evidence-based facts will be better for the clients of the institutions.

Declares an intent to create an institutions review commission as an independent entity to review state institutions on a regular basis.