5762-S AMS ORWA S5116.1
SSB 5762 - S AMD 649
By Senator Orwall
NOT CONSIDERED 03/12/2026
On page 4, line 26, after "(iv)" insert "
Train employees to identify and respond to callers who have, or may have, a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020, by providing accommodations and support services necessary to effectively engage in 988 crisis hotline assessments and interventions. Training must prepare staff to provide effective communication and reasonable accommodations, including plain language; slowed pacing and additional response time; clarifying questions and confirmation of understanding; and developmentally appropriate de-escalation and safety planning. Training must also prepare staff, with the caller's consent when feasible and when appropriate and lawful, to engage trusted supporting individuals identified by the caller to help identify uncommunicated needs, and to complete and document warm handoffs and referrals to resources that address the specialized needs of people with developmental disabilities.(v)"
Renumber the remaining subsections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.
On page 4, line 38, after "center" strike "and" and insert "((and));"
On page 5, line 2, after "populations" insert "; and information on how callers who need specialized services or accommodations, including persons with developmental disabilities, can request services or accommodations"
On page 6, line 3, after "department" insert "and the authority"
On page 6, line 35, after "which" strike "may" and insert "shall"
On page 10, line 2, after "gender," insert "disability status,"
On page 10, line 39, after "for" insert "individuals seeking help who self-disclose as"
EFFECT: • Expands training for employees responding to callers to include training on providing accommodations while providing crisis response and intervention services to individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Clarifies the information that must be provided by the Health Care Authority to 988 call centers, designated hubs, regional crisis lines, and behavioral health administrative services organizations.
• Requires displayed hotline information include details to access specialized services or accommodations.
• Includes the Health Care Authority in providing sufficient resources for the receiving crisis assistance requests through calls, chats, and texts.
• Requires guidelines developed by the Health Care Authority be inclusive of providing services based on disability status.
• Limits provision of specialized LGBTQ intervention and follow-up services to those who self disclose.
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