(1) A developmental disability service system task force is established.

(2) The task force shall be convened by September 1, 2011, and consist of the following members:

(a) Two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, from different political caucuses;

(b) Two members of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, from different political caucuses;

(c) The following members appointed by the governor:

(i) Two advocates for people with developmental disabilities;

(ii) A representative from the developmental disabilities council;

(iii) A representative of families of residents in residential habilitation centers;

(iv) Two representatives of labor unions representing workers who serve residents in residential habilitation centers;

(d) The secretary of the department of social and health services or their designee; and

(e) The director of the department of enterprise services or their designee.

(3) The members of the task force shall select the chair or cochairs of the task force.

(4) Staff assistance for the task force will be provided by legislative staff and staff from the agencies listed in subsection (2) of this section.

(5) The task force shall make recommendations on:

(a) The development of a system of services for persons with developmental disabilities that is consistent with the goals articulated in section 1, chapter 30, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess.;

(b) The state's long-term needs for residential habilitation center capacity, including the benefits and disadvantages of maintaining one center in eastern Washington and one center in western Washington;

(c) A plan for efficient consolidation of institutional capacity, including whether one or more centers should be downsized or closed and, if so, a time frame for closure;

(d) Mechanisms through which any savings that result from the downsizing, consolidation, or closure of residential habilitation center capacity can be used to create additional community-based capacity;

(e) Strategies for the use of surplus property that results from the closure of one or more centers;

(f) Strategies for reframing the mission of Yakima Valley School consistent with chapter 30, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess. that consider:

(i) The opportunity, where cost-effective, to provide medical services, including centers of excellence, to other clients served by the department; and

(ii) The creation of a treatment team consisting of crisis stabilization and short-term respite services personnel, with the long-term goal of expanding to include the provisions of specialty services such as dental care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized nursing care to individuals with developmental disabilities residing in the surrounding community.

(6) The task force shall report their recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2012.

[2015 c 225 § 111; 2011 1st sp.s. c 30 § 8.]

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