SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5393
As of March 10, 2025
Title: An act relating to closing the Yakima Valley school and Rainier school.
Brief Description: Closing the Yakima Valley school and Rainier school.
Sponsors: Senators Robinson, Nobles and Wilson, C.; by request of Office of Financial Management.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services: 2/10/25 [w/oRec-WM].
Ways & Means: 3/13/25.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Closes Rainier School by June 30, 2027.
  • Subject to appropriations, relocates Rainier School residents to other settings.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Staff: Maria Hovde (786-7474)
Background:

Rainier School. The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) operates four Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs), which provide 24-hour service and support for qualified individuals with developmental disabilities needing institutional care. The Rainier School, located in Buckley, is one of the RHCs.

 

Rainier School is an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Program certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In 2018, Rainier School was providing service to approximately 300 residents and was comprised of three separately certified program areas: Program Area Team (PAT) A, PAT C, and PAT E. In 2019, PAT A lost its certification with CMS, and by 2020 residents were relocated and PAT A was closed. In 2023, PAT C lots its certification with CMS, and by 2024 residents were relocated and PAT C was closed. Today, PAT E is fully certified and is supporting 75 residents.

 

In 2020, at the direction of the Governor and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Klamath Cottage was opened on the Rainier School campus to transition individuals that were medically stable out of acute care hospital beds to ensure hospital capacity was available. Klamath Cottage is not an ICF, is currently serving nine residents, and is funded entirely with state resources through June 2025.

 

Community Residential Programs. Community residential programs provide support for persons living in community living situations. These include supported living and non-facility based living situations such as State-Operated Living Alternatives (SOLAs), which are operated by the DDA with state employees providing instruction and support to clients.

 

Adult Family Homes. Adult Family Homes are community-based facilities licensed to care for up to eight individuals. These homes provide room, board, laundry, necessary supervision, and assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, and social services.
Summary of Bill:

The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute):

Upon the effective date of the act, DSHS shall not permit any new admissions to Rainier School. By June 30, 2027, DSHS shall relocate current residents and Rainier School shall cease to operate as an RHC.

 

Subject to appropriations, DSHS shall, in accordance with client preferences, transition residents to SOLAs, supported living facilities, adult family homes, and other RHCs. DSHS shall offer RHC employees opportunities to work in SOLAs or other state facilities or programs.

 

This bill contains severability clauses.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on March 7, 2025.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains several effective dates. Please refer to the bill.