Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Early Learning & Human Services Committee
HB 1158
Brief Description: Improving community inclusion services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Eslick, Taylor, Barkis, Ryu, Jacobsen, Macri, Obras, Callan, Bronoske, Simmons, Gregerson, Goodman, Wylie, Caldier, Rule, Kloba, Ormsby and Hill.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration to enter into contracts directly with service providers for the delivery of community inclusion services, rather than contracting with counties to provide this service.
  • Establishes standards for community inclusion services.
Hearing Date: 1/29/25
Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:

Developmental Disabilities Services.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families to obtain services and supports based on individual preferences, capabilities, and needs.  While some DDA clients live in residential habilitation centers, an institutional setting, most clients live in the community.  Home and community-based services Medicaid waivers allow clients who live in community settings to receive optional services at the same level as they would receive in an institutional setting.

 

The DDA offers services under five waivers: Core, Basic Plus, Community Protection, Individual and Family Services, and Children's Intensive In-Home Behavioral Support (CIIBS).  The waiver services provided to DDA clients are designed to promote everyday activities, routines, and relationships, and may include services targeted at community integration, support services provided by contracted professionals, caregiving, and equipment, supplies, and other specialized services.

 

Community Inclusion.

The DSHS DDA contracts with counties to provide community inclusion services.  Community inclusion services are individualized services provided to individuals with developmental disabilities that take place in typical, integrated community settings.  The services are designed to promote skill development, independent living, and community integration as individuals learn to actively and independently engage in their communities, develop relationships, and increase independence.  Although the community inclusion service is individualized, it can be provided for 2 to 3 clients at the same time when a community inclusion activity is a shared interest of all participants and certain other criteria are met.

 

A person is eligible to participate in community inclusion if they are on the Basic Plus or Core waiver and have participated in employment services for at least nine months, are exempt from employment services, or are 62 years old or older.  Qualifying DDA clients are assessed a maximum number of community service hours. 
Summary of Bill:

The Department of Social and Health Services Developmental Disabilities Administration must enter into contracts directly with service providers for the delivery of community inclusion services, and may not contract with counties to provide this service.

 

Standards for community inclusion services are established, and administrative rules and provider contracts must align with these standards.  Services must include the provision of incidental personal care as needed by the client.  Long term care providers who only provide community inclusion services are not required to meet home care aide requirements.  Provider client ratios may not be restricted to a 1 to 1 ratio, and the service must provide opportunities for peer group interaction.  Providers may only bill for direct client services other than reasonable transportation fees and 15 minutes per client per week for record keeping and administrative tasks.  Access to community inclusion services must be in the form of assessed service hours, and hours cannot be reduced in the event that community inclusion is added to aggregate services.

 

Terminology is aligned in current law provisions related to community inclusion services.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2025.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.