The Division of Archives and Records Management.
The Office of the Secretary of State includes the Division of Archives and Records Management (State Archives), which is responsible for managing the retention, cataloging, and preserving the public records inventory. The State Archives also operates regional offices that support state and local agencies with records management.
Institute on Human Development and Disability.
The University of Washington Institute on Human Development and Disability provides an integrated interdisciplinary program in the field of developmental disabilities to advance basic and translational research and to enhance the capacity of communities to provide state-of-the-art comprehensive services.
Lakeland Village.
Lakeland Village is a state-operated 24-hour facility that provides training, education, and healthcare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The facility was originally established in 1914.
Working with the University of Washington Institute on Human Development and Disability, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, the Division of Archives and Records Management (State Archives) must create a preservation plan to organize, catalogue, and store the historical documents and artifacts identified at Lakeland Village.
Historical documents and artifacts may include but are not limited to medical records, letters, images, films, and artifacts of past residents with intellectual or development disabilities at Lakeland Village.
The preservation plan must:
The plan must be submitted to the appropriate legislative committees by September 1, 2025.
State Archives and the DSHS must work together in storing and retaining the records. No records must be destroyed until the preservation plan is completed and the work is funded during fiscal year 2026.
Indirect costs to the University of Washington are limited to 15 percent.
The bill expires June 30, 2026. This bill is null and void unless funded in the 2023-25 Omnibus Appropriations Act.
(In support) Records were recently identified at Lakeland Village. Records are usually destroyed after 75 years. The Division of Archives and Records Management, working with others, would look at how to preserve and store these records. This would provide the state with the history of the mistreatment of people with development disabilities and information about how treatment systems have changed over the years. There is a long history of mistreatment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It is important to preserve history so it is not repeated. This project will allow the state to recognize its heritage. These records should not be destroyed. Some records have already been destroyed.
(Opposed) None.
(In support) This bill will make historical records accessible, particularly for family members to trace their relatives and document family history. These records are important as they contain stories of real people's lives. The effort may expand to include all state institutions for people with developmental disabilities. The records, some dating back to 1890, are currently stored in plastic bins indoors at Lakeland Village.
(Opposed) None.
Senator Claudia Kauffman, prime sponsor; Monica Thomas; and Diana Stadden, The Arc of Washington State.
Cathy Murahashi, The Arc of Washington.
Corinna Fale, Self Advocates In Leadership.