Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Early Learning & Human Services Committee |
HB 2787
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: Concerning creation of the select committee on supported employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Caldier, Kilduff, Dent, Senn, Frame, Doglio, McDonald, Pollet and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/31/18
Staff: Dawn Eychaner (786-7135).
Background:
Developmental Disabilities Administration.
The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) Developmental Disability Administration (DDA) assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and support based on individual preferences, capabilities, and needs.
Employment and Community Access Services.
Employment services provide ongoing support services and training for eligible persons in a variety of settings and work sites. These include individual supported employment, group supported employment, prevocational services, and preemployment services. Community access services assist individuals to participate in activities that promote individualized skill development, independent living, and community integration. Supported employment services and community access services must be provided by a county, or an agency or an individual contracted with a county or the DDA.
The DDA must allow clients to transfer from employment services to community access services after nine months of enrollment. The DDA may make exceptions to the nine month requirement if a client's medical or behavioral health records document a condition that prevents the client from completing nine consecutive months of DDA-supported employment services; or the client was referred to and was available for DDA-supported employment services, but the service was not delivered within 90 days of the referral.
A client may not be enrolled in both community access and employment services at the same time.
Summary of Bill:
A select committee on supported employment services for individuals with developmental disabilities is established. The committee consists of eight legislators, four family members of persons with developmental disabilities of varying acuity levels, a representative of the Office of the Governor (GOV), the Assistant Secretary of the DDA, a developmental disability self-advocate, and a representative from the Washington Association of County Officials.
The committee must be co-chaired by the representative of the GOV and a legislative member elected by the committee.
The committee must meet at least three times between July and October 2018 and produce a report by December 1, 2018 that includes a descriptive review of:
group and individual supported employment programs and services;
the availability of community access services; and
how individuals navigate entry into community access services.
The report must include any suggested policy, administrative code, or statute changes that would allow for better outcomes for recipients of supported employment or community access services.
The bill expires on December 30, 2018.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 29, 2018.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.